When DId I RECEIVE the Scholarship

[sgt-loudmouth]

When did I "receive" this scholarship payment?

• The scholarship was for a semester that began in January 2026.
• Tuition was due in January 2026.
• I paid the rest of my tuition (plus room and board) in December 2025.
• The scholarship first shows up on a statement in November 2025.

My understanding of cash basis accounting is that it is all based on when the money moved.

Was the scholarship received on the tuition due date? On the date I paid the rest of the tuition? On the date it first appeared on a statement.

If I need to show that the scholarship wasn't used to pay room and board (making it taxable), I need to know which year I "received" that scholarship.

[AmyC]

The scholarship was reported on your account in November so I would expect to see it in box 5 of your 1098-T. Expenses paid in Dec for the next 3 months can be included in your 2025 expenses.

If your box 5 is greater than box 1, you will want to enter the amount on the screen titled aid included amounts not for 2025 so you can carry the scholarship income to next year. You will need to make a note of this for next year's taxes.