If you are not a candidate for a degree, the entire amount of your scholarships or fellowships is generally taxable. If you are a candidate for a degree, the part of a scholarship or fellowship that is used to pay anything other than qualified education expenses is taxable. This is true even if the expense is required for attendance. If it is not for tuition and fees, or course-related expenses, it is taxable.
Payment for Services
Any payment for services is generally taxable. This applies even if all students must perform the services as a condition for obtaining a degree. To the extent these services are compensated, the compensation would be taxable income. But there are certain exceptions.
If part of your scholarship or fellowship is payment for teaching, research, or other services you perform under the following programs, you are a candidate for a degree, and you use that compensation to pay for qualified education expenses, your compensation is not taxable:
National Health Services Corp. Scholarship Program
Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program
Future Services
If you receive a grant that has a condition requiring you to perform future services, the entire amount of the grant is taxable, even though you are a candidate for a degree and the grant is being used to pay your education expenses.