You are correct.
Qualified education expenses. For purposes of the
10% additional tax, these expenses are tuition, fees,
books, supplies, and equipment required for enrollment or
attendance at an eligible educational institution. They also
include expenses for special needs services incurred by
or for special needs students in connection with their enrollment or attendance.
In addition, if the student is at least a half-time student,
room and board are qualified education expenses.
The expense for room and board qualifies only to the
extent that it isn't more than the greater of the following
two amounts.
1. The allowance for room and board, as determined by
the eligible educational institution, that was included
in the cost of attendance (for federal financial aid purposes) for a particular academic period and living arrangement of the student.
2. The actual amount charged if the student is residing
in housing owned or operated by the eligible educational institution.
You may need to contact the eligible educational institution for qualified room and board costs.
