International University Full Ride

[shaye720]

I attend a university in South Korea and have a full-ride. I received no tax forms, and I didn't pay the school any tuition. I know I don't qualify for an education credit, but do I still need to record in my tax forms that I attended a foreign university?

Thanks!

[MinhT1]

No.

You won't need to report on your tax return that you attended a foreign university.

If you're a US citizen or resident alien, you have to report your worldwide income.

See this IRS document.

[Hal_Al]

Q. Do I still need to record in my tax forms that I attended a foreign university?

A. No, not per se.  But, you may have to report, as income, any of the scholarship that did not cover Qualified education expenses. You would need to include that income, on your tax return,  if you are already required to file a tax return or if the amount of the taxable grants pushes you to the filing threshold ($13,850 for most people). 

Qualified education expenses. For purposes of tax-free scholarships and fellowship grants, these are expenses for:
• Tuition and fees required to enroll at or attend an eligible educational institution; and
• Course-related expenses, such as fees, books, supplies, and equipment that are required for the courses
at the eligible educational institution. These items must be required of all students in your course of instruction.

Expenses that don't qualify. Qualified education expenses don't include the cost of:
• Room and board,
• Travel,
• Research,
• Clerical help, or
• Equipment and other expenses that aren't required for
enrollment

[shaye720]

Thank you! Also, does that mean I wouldn't count as a full-time student in 2023? I graduated from my US undergraduate degree in April and began attending the international graduate program in September. I don't know if the international school would be able to push me over the threshold of "full-time student", which requires 5 months of school attendance.

[Hal_Al]

Q.  Does the international school  push me over the threshold of "full-time student", which requires 5 months of school attendance?

A. Yes. 

Even if the school is not an "eligible institution" for the tuition credits (it's not on the DOE student aid list), it is an eligible institution for tax free scholarship or the definition of full time student. 

"Eligible educational institution. An eligible educational institution is one whose primary function is the presentation of formal instruction and that normally maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly enrolled body of students in attendance at the place where it regularly carries on its educational activities."  (IRS Pub 970)