Scholarships not used to pay for qualified education expenses (e.g. to pay for room and board) are taxable and have to be reported on your tax return.
If the part of your scholarships which covers room and board exceeds the standard deduction of $12,400, then you are required to file a tax return.
Is that 12,400 for the year or a semester in college?
If it is more than 12,400, Does that mean I owe the government money?
Also, a portion of the money went to paying for books and supplies for school.
Am I eligible to get a tax return if it is more than 12,400?
Your college should have sent you a Form 1098-T.
If you have scholarship money left over after covering your qualified education expenses, you must include that amount as part of your gross taxable income.
That means scholarship money used to pay:
In 2020, if you are single and under age 65 and have $12,400 or more in income you are required to file a tax return.
If you qualify, you can file your federal and state returns at no cost to you by using Free File. If you are claimed as a dependent by a parent or any other person, you will click the box that someone else can claim you. When you complete the tax return, you will know if you owe money to the IRS, or if you will receive a refund.