1098-T TUITION FORM
The Form 1098‑T is issued to eligible students and reports payments received for qualified tuition and related expenses during the calendar (tax) year. This information may assist you in determining eligibility for certain federal education tax benefits.
Please note: Receiving a Form 1098‑T does not automatically qualify you for any tax credit.
The federal government currently offers two types of education-related tax credits:
- The American Opportunity Credit
- The Lifetime Learning Credit
Florida Atlantic University is not authorized to provide tax advice. If you have questions about your eligibility for tax benefits, or how to report education expenses on your tax return, please consult a qualified tax preparer or financial advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The FAQ section below is provided to address general questions about Form 1098‑T. It is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as tax advice or used to complete your tax return.
What is the 1098-T?
The 1098‑T Tuition Statement is an IRS tax form issued to eligible students to report qualified tuition and related educational expenses paid during the tax year. This form may assist in claiming education-related tax credits.
When will the 1098-T become available to students?
-
Forms are made available electronically by January 31st each year via MyFAU Self Service.
-
No paper copies are mailed.
-
Students will be notified by email when the form is available.
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:
-
- Go to
MyFAU
- Select Sign In
- Select FAU Self Service
- Select Pay Your Bill
- 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.
Qualified vs Non-Qualified 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.
-
Qualified Expenses: Tuition, mandatory fees, and other costs required for enrollment.
-
Non-Qualified Expenses: Housing, meals, transportation, insurance, health fees, and parking are not included on the form.
Understanding 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.
Common Questions About Box 1
The amount in Box 1 may not match the total you paid due to:
-
Only qualified educational expenses being reported
-
Timing differences—payments made in a different calendar year than when the charges were assessed
-
Inclusion of third-party payments or financial aid applied toward tuition
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 cannot provide personal tax advice. Students are encouraged to consult with a qualified tax advisor regarding their eligibility for tax credits.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
-
IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education
- Form 8863 – Education Credits
- Tax Benefits for Education: Information Center