Early distribution from IRA - does paying student loans qualify as "higher education"?

[denisellind]

I had an early distribution from an IRA.  On the page where they ask about ways to reduce your tax, higher education is an option. My question is does using this money to pay student loans from higher education qualify?

[dmertz · Accepted solution]

No, the amount paid to student loans is not a qualified higher education expense for the purpose of the early-distribution penalty exception.