1098-T TUITION FORM

The Form 1098-T reports payments received for qualified tuition and related expenses during the tax year. The information reported on Form 1098-T helps students evaluate their eligibility for certain federal tax benefits. Receipt of Form 1098-T does not necessarily mean that you qualify for any of the tax benefits.

The federal government provides two types of tax credits for educational expenses paid by you during the tax year.  However, not all expenses you pay to the University are considered qualified expenses.  In general, tuition and fees directly related to your attendance and education are allowable.  Housing, insurance, and transportation are generally not allowed. 

Florida Atlantic University is unable to offer tax guidance or advice regarding the filing of Form 1098-T.  If you have any questions, you should seek the counsel of an informed tax preparer or adviser.

The following FAQ is provided to assist you with some of the general questions that you may have regarding the 1098-T form and is not intended to be provided as advice in completing your tax return. 

Some Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 1098-T?
Educational Institutions are required to report the amounts paid by the student for what is referred to as qualified tuition and related expenses in a single year.  This form is intended to assist you with filing for the tuition and fees deduction or the education tax credits.  Receipt of Form 1098-T does not necessarily mean that you qualify for any of the tax benefits.
When will the 1098-T become available to students?
1098-T Tuition Statements will be available online by January 31st for the previous year. The University does not issue paper copies. All students will receive an email notification letting them know Form 1098-T is available via MyFAU.
Will FAU provide my 1098-T to the IRS?
Yes, Florida Atlantic University is required to transmit your 1098-T electronically by March 31st. 
Does every student get a 1098-T form?

The IRS does not require Florida Atlantic University to provide Form 1098-T for:

  • Courses for which no academic credit is offered (e.g. continuing education, certificate programs); even if the student is otherwise enrolled in a degree program;
  • Nonresident alien students;
  • Students whose expenses are covered by a formal 3rd party billing arrangement.
How do I access my 1098-T form?

To view your 1098-T statement, follow the steps below:

    1. Go to  MyFAU
    2. Select Sign In
    3. Select FAU Self Service
    4. Select Account Summary by Term or Pay Your Bill
    5. Select Pay Your Bill or Review Your Statement
    6. Select View (located to the right of your latest 1098-T statement)
I am a former student, how do I access my 1098-T form?

If you are no longer able to login using MyFAU, please use the link below for instructions on how to activate your FAUNetID. Once you activate your FAUNetID, follow the instructions under “How do I access my 1098-T?”.

http://www.fau.edu/oit/files/how-to-activate-your-faunet-id.pdf

For login assistance, please contact the helpdesk at www.fau.edu/helpdesk or by phone at (561) 297-3999 or (866) 855-8325.

What are qualified tuition and related expenses?
Qualified tuition and related expenses (QTRE) are defined by the IRS as tuition and fees a student must pay to be enrolled at or attend an eligible educational institution. Some examples of fees not included on your 1098-T are housing, meal plan, transportation, payment plan enrollment, and health fees as these are not qualified education expenses according to the IRS rules. 
What information is reported on the 1098-T form?

Florida Atlantic University will report all qualified transactions in the calendar year posted to the student’s account, regardless of the academic period to which they belong.    

  • Box 1: The total amount of payments from any source received by Florida Atlantic University for qualified tuition and related expenses less any reimbursements or refunds made during the calendar year that relate to those payments. Please note that the amount in Box 1 will NOT equal to or sum to the charges made for calendar year, because not all charges are considered qualified tuition and related expenses as defined by the Internal Revenue Service.
  • Box 2: This box will be left blank.
  • Box 3: This box will be left blank.
  • Box 4: This box is used to report reductions in qualified tuition and related expenses that were reported in a prior year. This amount may reduce any allowable education credit you may claim for the prior year.  
  • Box 5: This box reports the total amount of all scholarships or grants posted to your account during the calendar year. This includes payments received from governmental and private entities. Certain tuition benefits such as Post 9/11 GI Bill and military tuition assistance must also be reported in Box 5. Scholarships and/or grants will be reported in Box 5 and will be also included in Box 1 (payments received).
  • Box 6: This box is used to report reductions to scholarships or grants previously reported in prior years. 
  • Box 7: This box will be checked if qualified tuition and related expenses are paid in one year, but the academic period begins January through March of the following year. Example: Winter term charges are paid in December but classes begin in January.
  • Box 8: This box will be checked if the student was at least a half-time student during any academic period during the calendar year.
  • Box 9: This box will be checked if the student was enrolled in a program or programs leading to a graduate-level degree, graduate level certificate, or other recognized graduate level educational credential.
  • Box 10: This box will be left blank.
Why do the numbers on the 1098-T form not equal the amounts I paid for the year?

There are several reasons Box 1 may not match your records exactly. 

  •  First, Box 1 includes payments received from all sources, including financial aid and third-party sponsors. 
  • Second, it includes only payments toward qualified tuition and related expenses.  Although you may have paid for housing, meal plans and other charges, those payments cannot be included in Box 1.
  • Third, the pay date does not necessarily correspond to the dates that the classes were attended.
  • Finally, Box 1 includes payments posted to your account only during the calendar year. 

 

Who do I contact if I still have questions about my 1098-T?

If you believe there is an error on your 1098-T tax form, please contact Tuition and Billing Services call center number 561-297-6101 or by sending a detailed email to webcontroller@fau.edu.  Make sure to include 1098-T in the subject line of the email.

Florida Atlantic University is unable to provide you with individual tax advice, but should you have tax questions, you should seek the counsel of an informed tax preparer or adviser.  

HELPFUL RESOURCES

  • IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education
  • Form 8863 – Education Credits
  • Tax Benefits for Education: Information Center