IMSA Boarding school Student Fee - Illinois tax credit

Forum|Forum|2 months ago
April 30, 2026
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Hello,

My kid goes to IMSA, which is a 100% boarding high school, they don't allow any other options. As such, they require 7000+ annual "student fee" payment. As a public school, IMSA states their tuition is zero. However, we must pay this student fee to attend IMSA. Can I claim it on tax return for Illinois Education Credit?

Benefit Assist Online

Vanessa A

Level 15

No. Qualified Education Expenses include tuition, book fees and lab fees. So even though the boarding fees are required, they do not fall into one of the qualified education expense categories.

For Public and Nonpublic Schools Only —

In general, qualified education expenses are the amounts paid in excess of $250 for tuition, book fees, and lab fees at the school where the student is enrolled during the regular school year.

Specifically, qualified education expenses include the amount of

tuition paid for a student who was enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Note: This does not include summer school enrichment classes unless they are required for elementary or secondary graduation requirements.

book fees paid for the rental of books that were required as part of the student’s participation in the school’s education program. Note: This does not include books purchased by the student.

lab fees paid for the use of supplies, equipment, materials, or instruments that were required as part of the student’s participation in a lab course in the school’s education program.

Lab courses include those courses, for which the student will receive credit toward graduation, that provide an environment for organized activity involving observation, experimentation, or practice, (i.e., science, music, art, or language).