TRA 97 Higher Education Tax Credits (Form 1098-T)

TRA 97 Higher Education Tax Credits

In January of each year, in accordance with Internal Revenue Code Section 6050S, the University is required to report to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), qualified tuition payments and financial aid receipt, for each enrolled student. This information is submitted to the IRS on Form 1098-T (Tuition Statement), which is used to determine a student’s Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning credits.

The University has the option to report either payments received for qualified tuition and expenses in Box 1 or the amount that each student was billed for tuition in Box 2. Florida State University reports payments received for qualified tuition and related expense in Box 1. Florida State University does not use Box 2. The University is also required to report the amount of any scholarships and grants, which were processed by the University, in Box 5.

Florida State University is not permitted to provide tax advice. The University recommends that any student or parent, who would like additional information on education tax benefits, consult IRS Publication 970 “Tax Benefits for Education for Use in Preparing 2008 Returns”. This publication is available on the IRS website at Tax Benefits for Education(PDF).

How To Receive and View a 1098-T

Students can view their 1098-T online by following the easy steps outlined below:

• Login to the FSU Blackboard site using your secure username and password.
• Select the "Secure Apps" tab.
• Select the "Tax Information 1098-T" link.
• You will enter the ECSI site and select the "Tax Information" link under "My Account".
• Click the tax year you would like to view

The 1098-T is available for online viewing by February 1st of each year, or sooner-- you will receive an email notice that the form is available for review.

Help Us Go Green: We will send you a notice later this year to sign up to receive your 1098-T electronically. If you choose mail, each year the form will be mailed at the end of January and will be sent to the student’s permanent address on file with the University as of January 1st. Due to the logistics of distribution, paper 1098-T forms will not be available as early as the electronic version. Paper forms will be mailed on or before January 31st.

Form 1098-T Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the 1098-T Form?

A.The 1098-T is used to assist students and parents in determining whether or not they are eligible for Education Tax Credits.

Q. What if the charges on my 1098-T are not correct?

A.The 1098-T only reflects information collected by year. Therefore the form would include information from Spring, Summer and Fall of the previous calendar/tax year. The form will not contain any payment information from Spring of the new year, even though it is distributed after the fee payment deadline in Spring of the new year. Please contact Student Financial Services at (850)644-9452 with further discrepancies.

Q. When will I receive my 1098-T form?

A.Forms are mailed annually and must be sent on or before January 31st. If students have opted to receive their form electronically they will receive an email as soon as the forms are available for viewing.

Q. I can't find my 1098-T. How do I get a reprint?

A.The most recent and previous tax years forms are available electronically through ECSI and Florida State University's Blackboard. By visiting the Tax Information- Form 1098-T link through Blackboard, you will be brought to ECSI's homepage where your 1098-T is housed under the "Tax Information" link.

Students may also request that a form be re-mailed directly from ECSI by calling (888)549-3274 and requesting that a new form be mailed.

Q. How do I update my address if I move?

A.The forms are mailed to the permanent addresses of those individuals who have opted not to receive their 1098-T electronically. The permanent address may be updated and maintained through the FSU Blackboard site. By logging in and clicking on “Secure Apps”, a student may select to “Change My Address” from the list of available links.

Q. Can international students receive a 1098-T form and Education Tax Credits?

A.Legal Resident Aliens may be eligible to receive the 1098-T form per section 25 A (g) (7) IRS Tax Code.

Q. Am I eligible to receive tax credits and does this form validate the taxability of my financial aid?

A.Student Financial Services is not permitted to offer tax advice to students or parents. For information regarding the taxability of your scholarships and grants, or to learn about your tax credit eligibility, please contact your tax professional.