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Scholarship and SSI; how much to pay for taxes?

MrBeckham — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:56:21 GMT

Hi,

I received a scholarship at the beginning of last semester for $4155. Told social security about it and all they said was to not have more than $2000 in my account and when I asked about what to do about taxes for the scholarship, they suggested I consult a professional who knows about social security disability and scholarships.

How much should I pay the IRS?

Thanks

Re: Scholarship and SSI; how much to pay for taxes?

AmeliesUncle — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 01:05:52 GMT

How much of the scholarship was able to be applied for qualified tuition and fees?

Is anybody ABLE to claim you as a dependent?

Just to confirm, by "SSI", do you mean Supplemental Social Security? Or is this 'regular' or 'disability' Social Security that you receive a Form SSA-1099?

Re: Scholarship and SSI; how much to pay for taxes?

MrBeckham — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 20:23:05 GMT

Honestly, I didn’t keep track of what I spent it on. I’ve used it as I initially stated why I applied for the scholarship, which was to make sure I wasn’t homeless. An ID, months of rent, clothing, etc. I’ll probably be using maybe $350 of it on classes and books this semester.

Nobody who could claim me as a dependent is alive.

I’m on SSI as well as social security disability and survivor’s benefits. So I do receive a 1099 at the beginning of the year.

Re: Scholarship and SSI; how much to pay for taxes?

AmeliesUncle — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 20:33:59 GMT

You received a scholarship for $4155. If you attended college and the college tuition/fees were at least $2855, none of it will be taxable and you will not be required to file a tax return. If you attended a qualified college, you should be receiving a Form 1098-T that shows the amount of qualified tuition that was paid to the school.

If less the $2855 was paid for qualified tuition, then it depends on what you mean by "Nobody who could claim me as a dependent is alive". If you had lived with certain relatives for at least half of the year (and they died afterwards) or if you lived with someone else for the entire year (and they have died since then), they MIGHT be able to claim you as a dependent, depending on more circumstances. If neither of those situations apply, nobody can claim you as a dependent and there is no tax and no tax return is required.