1098 T at tuition free online university

[boomtown]

I attend UoPeople, University of the People. They are tuition free, but do charge a "testing fee" or exam processing fee, and do not issue a 1098-T.

The fee is $200 per course. In Turbotax, can I select "my university is not required to issue a 1098-T", and then enter my $800? It works but I don't know if it's valid.

Secondly, the University is only and requires only that you have a computer, internet connection, and submit assignments with Microsoft Word. I use the free Google Docs normally, not Word, and my desktop computer. But I bought a Microsoft subscription and a laptop so I could attend classes at hours that I'm not at home with my desktop. Is this all deductible under Lifetime Learning Credit?

p.s. to help others who might search for the same issue, here is a list of accredited tuition free online universities who likely do not issue 1098-T forms

Barclay College
Berea College
Alice Lloyd College
College of the Ozarks
Webb Institute
Deep Springs College
Warren Wilson College
Curtis Institute of Music
Macaulay Honors College
University of the People
Haskell Indian Nations College
Blackburn College
Central Christian College of the Bible
Williamson College of the Trades
City College of San Fransisco
St. Louis Christian College
United States Air Force Academy
United States Coast Guard Academy
United States Military Academy
United States Naval Academy

[tagteam · Accepted solution]

Re the LLC, see https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/llc

Note the language in the Claiming the credit section.

[Hal_Al]

From IRS Publication 970: "Also, the institution must be eligible to participate in a student aid program administered by the U.S. Department of Education".

Although University of the People appears on the list of accredited schools (Database of Accredited Post Secondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) ), it is not on the Student loan list (Federal Student Loan Program list ).

I take that to mean, it is not an "eligible educational institution" for the federal education credits. Most "online only" schools (it does not also have brick & mortar classrooms) are not eligible.