What is the tax liability on EE series US treasury bonds/interest when one's total gross income falls below the minimum gross income filing requirement?

[ndshull]

I'm a graduate student exempt from filing a tax return this year since my gross income is below the minimum threshold. I receive most of my money for living and education expenses in the form of federal student loans for graduate students, which do not qualify as taxable income since they are debt, not income. I cashed in EE series US treasury bonds and received a 1099-INT form from my financial institution. The interest accrued on these bonds was approximately $240. Do I need to file a tax return/pay taxes on these bonds/interest? Or, am I not required to do so since my gross income falls below the minimum filing income amount?

[CarolC]

If your total gross income, including the interest paid on the Series EE savings bond, is below the filing threshold, you do not need to file a federal income tax return.

To exclude Series EE interest for qualifying education expenses, the bond must have been issued in your name (or spouse) and the owner must be at least 24 years old when the bond was issued.