Explanation of IRS Form 1098-T

The IRS Form 1098-T is provided, as required by the IRS, to provide information that may assist you in completing your individual tax return.  The information listed on IRS Form 1098-T may be different than the amount you actually paid towards Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses (hereafter known as QTRE).  We strongly recommend seeking professional assistance when claiming an education tax credit.  Regardless of the information provided on the 1098-T, if you choose to claim an education tax credit, you should always keep documentation such as invoices and receipt of payment that supports any claimed tax credit even if you report only what is on IRS Form 1098-T.

• The IRS Form 1098-T is an information form filed with the Internal Revenue Service.
• The IRS Form 1098-T that you receive reports amounts paid for qualified tuition and related expenses, as well as other related information
• You, or the person who may claim you as a dependent, may be able to claim an education tax credit on IRS Form 1040 for the qualified tuition and related expenses that were actually paid during the calendar year.
• All information that The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, can or will provide you is either on the 1098-T form or is included on this webpage.  We are not allowed to discuss tax implications, how this form may relate to you, or give tax advice.  Please consult your tax preparer with all questions related to this document.  Some helpful links to the IRS at the bottom of this page may provide you more information related to how form 1098-T may affect you.  As we cannot provide tax advice or the implications of the IRS Form 1098-T, we will only be able to direct you or your tax preparer to this webpage to answer your questions.

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 Amounts Paid for Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses

BOX 1 of IRS Form 1098-T reports the qualified tuition and related expenses paid during the calendar year.  Sometimes this is referred to as qualified education expenses, although the two are not always interchangeable.  Consult a tax professional for explanation.  For purposes of IRS Form 1098-T, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, has determined based on interpretation of the limited IRS guidance provided that the following charges are included or not in qualified tuition and related expenses.  Please note, IRS Publication 970 states that "the amount on form 1098-T might be different from the amount you actually paid and are deemed to have paid."  Further IRS Form 8863 instructions state that "The amount of qualified Tuition and related expenses reported on Form 1098-T may not reflect the total amount of the qualified tuition and related expenses paid during the year for which you may claim the tax credit.  You may include qualified tuition and related expenses that are not reported on IRS Form 1098-T when claiming one of the related credits if you can substantiate payment of these expenses."

Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses INCLUDED	Charges not considered Qualified Tuition and Related expenses and therefore NOT INCLUDED
Resident and Non-resident Tuition Program specific charges (ie Tuition Differential for Masters Programs such as MBA, MS Accounting, MS Analytics, MHA) Required General Fees (Excludes Health Services Access Charge) Book Rental Fee (undergraduate) ASG Fee (Association of Student Government) Education & Technology Fee Safety & Security Fee Student Activity Fee (Summer charged separately, Fall/Spring inluded in General Fee - Both are included)	Housing related charges Dining, Meal Plans, Express Account Charges Insurance (such as BCBS Student Blue Medical Insurance & Intern Practicum Charge (liability insurance) Late Fees, Interest on Past Due Account Library Fines, Fees Orientation Fees Parking Permit or fines Health Services Access Fee Other Health Service charges Department fees for non-return or damage (ie Books not returned,Chemistry Breakage) Wellness Service Fee

Please note that the timing of each charge and payment/scholarship are important regarding which year they are reported in.  Many students have charges from Nov-Dec of 2020.  Because in 2020 many students had payments larger than their QTRE, the BOX 1 amount for the Spring 2021 term may have been included in the 2020 1098-T.  Also, in many of those same circumstances, the student also received scholarships and grants for Spring 2021 that did not post until January 2021.  This may cause the 2021 1098-T to have zero in BOX 1 but BOX would be populated.  Please consult a tax prepared regarding what this means to your individual tax situation.

 

 

 

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Adjustments Made for a Prior Year

BOX 4 of IRS Form 1098-T reports adjustments made to qualified tuition and related expenses calculated in a prior year.  The amount reported in Box 4 represents a reduction in tuition billed during a prior calendar year.  For example, if you were billed in Nov-Dec 2020 and later had a reduction in the QTRE charges in 2021 (ie withdrawal, courses dropped), Box 4 reports the decrease in billed tuition due to the withdrawal or drop.  The amount reported in BOX 4 reports the decrease in QTRE from the withdrawal or drop of courses that reduced the QTRE.  The amount reported in Box 4 for adjustments to qualified tuition and related expenses may reduce any allowable education credit you may claim for the prior year.  See your tax advisor and/or IRS Form 8863/IRS Publication 970 for more information. 

Note: It is possible for the other boxes to be empty and only have a number in BOX 4.  This means as stated above that there was a reduction in qualified tuition and related expenses calculated on the 2020 1098-T that was reduced after December 31, 2020 but had no other reportable activity for the 2020 calendar year.  Please consult a tax advisor and/or IRS Form 8863 and IRS Publication 970 for assistance.

 

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 Scholarships and/or Grants

BOX 5 of IRS Form 1098-T reports the total of scholarships or grants administered or processed by the Office of Student Accounts and/or the Office of Student Financial Aid during the calendar year. 

Please note that the timing of each charge and scholarship are important regarding which year they are reported in.  Many students have charges from Nov-Dec of 2020.  Because in 2020 many students had payments larger than their QTRE, the BOX 1 amount for the Spring 2021 term may have been included in the 2020 1098-T.  Also, in many of those same circumstances, the student also received scholarships and grants for Spring 2021 that did not post until January 2021.  This may cause the 2021 1098-T to have zero in BOX 1 but BOX would be populated.  Please consult a tax prepared regarding what this means to your individual tax situation.

The amount reported in BOX 5 does not include:

• Tuition waivers provided during the calendar year.
• Student Loans
• Work Study
• Employment
• Scholarships, grants, reimbursements, or other types of sponsorships not administered by the Office of Student Accounts and/or the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Per IRS instruction, Veteran's Education Benefit amounts received are included in BOX 5.



CARES ACT Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (CARES HEERF)

 Sections 3504, 18004, and 18008 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), enacted on March 27, 2020, allow higher education institutions to use certain funds allocated by the Department of Education to support students and higher education institutions with expenses and financial needs related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  Based on guidance provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), we have not included any CARES HEERF Funds that were awarded to students in the 1098T.  Other forms of emergency aidare required to be included on IRS Form 1098T.  See IRS Frequently Asked Questions concerning CARES HEERF Fund Awards.





Adjustments to Scholarships or Grants For a Prior Year

BOX 6 of IRS Form 1098-T reports adjustments made to scholarships or grants reported on a prior year Form 1098-T that was in BOX 5.  The amount reported in BOX 6 represents a reduction in scholarships or grants reported for a prior calendar year.  The amount reported in BOX 6 for adjustments to scholarships or grants may affect the amount of the education credit you may claim for the prior year.  See IRS Form 8863 for how to report these amounts.





Additional Information Reported



BOX 7 indicates, if checked, that BOX 1 includes amounts for an academic period beginning in the next year (2022).  For example, if you registered and paid for the upcoming Spring Semester during November or December, this box will be marked.

BOX 8 shows whether you are at least one-half of the normal full-time workload for at least one academic period during the calendar year.  



BOX 9 shows whether you are enrolled in a program leading to a graduate level degree, certificate, or other recognized education credential.

 

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Special Note regarding Tuition/Fee Waivers: Please see the link below for additional information regarding impact of Tuition and Fee Waivers on taxes

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-benefits-for-education-information-center

 

Additionally, the links below may clarify the instructions, purpose, and applicability of the 1098-T for your individual tax situation. All information that The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, can provide you is either on the 1098-T form or is included on this webpage.  We are not allowed to discuss tax implications, how this form may relate to you, or give tax advice.  Please consult your tax preparer with all questions related to this document.  Some helpful links to the IRS at the bottom of this page may provide you more information related to how form 1098-T may affect you. Please seek guidance from a tax professional.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/students

https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc421

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/foreign-students-and-scholars

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-benefits-for-education-information-center

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-970

 

UNC Pembroke sends electronic bills to all students on a monthly basis. Once the bill is available online an email notice will be sent to the student’s email address and authorized user’s email address if applicable. Account balances are always available through the Braveweb online account center.

Students may see their account balances by accessing their online account center through their BraveWeb account from any computer.  Computer labs are located in academic buildings across campus, Mary Livermore Library and the University Center. 

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is subject to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99).  FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. This means that student billing balances, billing detail and financial aid data cannot be given over the phone to anyone. This information will be available online or directly to the student with proper identification (picture id). Authorized Users can be added by the Student through their Online Account.

• FERPA Law -  http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/reg/ferpa/index.html
• Overview – http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

1.   Click “Authorized User”
2.   Enter e-mail address of authorized user
3.   Answer two yes or no access questions
4.   Click “Continue”
5.   Authorized user will receive an email with a password. Authorized user must utilize the following link to log into the Online Account Center.
6.   Authorized user link:https://epay.uncp.edu/C20230_tsa/web/index.jsp
7.   Click “Agree”
8.   Click “Continue”

Authorized user will receive an email with a password.  Authorized user must utilize the following link to log into the Online Account Center

https://epay.uncp.edu/C20230_tsa/web/index.jsp

Cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, financial aid, loans, and outside sponsors. Your BraveWeb online account center will accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and Electronic Check (ACH).  Any overpayment created within a semester will be refunded to the student.

 Bring an authorization form from the sponsor stating what expenses and amount that will be covered for that semester.

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke understands that sometimes you need some help managing your tuition bill. That’s why we offer the University of North Carolina at Pembroke tuition payment plan. Payment plans are convenient, manageable payment solutions that give you the option to pay tuition in interest-free monthly installments, rather than one lump sum. Tuition payment plans offer:

• More time to pay. Spread your tuition payments over a period of several months.
• Interest savings. Use a payment plan to make monthly payments, interest free. You can also use a plan in conjunction with traditional student loans and financial aid.

• Convenience. You can enroll in a plan, manage your account and make payments online, 24 hours a day.

  To Determine your monthly payment:

  • Add total expenses for:
    • Tuition
    • Fees
    • On-campus housing
    • On-campus meal plan
    • Books cannot be budgeted into payment plans
  • Minus any estimated aid
  • Divide by number of monthly payments

All accounts will go through the following procedure:

Age of Accounts	Account balances that are less than $10.00 will be written off based on states policies.
1-30 days past due	Mail first past-due letter Electronic Bill Receive a promise to pay
31-60 days past due	Mail second and final past-due letter Electronic Bill Refer to Attorney General's Office
61 + days past due	Complete appropriate submittal forms and send to the Attorney General's Office, or the agency legal counsel. Refuse additional service to the delinquent debtor where this does not conflict with Federal and State laws. After 45 days from date sent to Attorney General’s Office, a decision will be made on how to proceed with account. Account may be assigned to a state contracted collection agency. At least twice a month a list will be submitted to the Department of Revenue for tax set off proceeding to satisfy the debt owed to the university.
	A student with an unpaid balance at UNC Pembroke will not be allowed to enroll for the next term. Current financial aid will not be used to pay prior semester balances.

For more information please refer to the following:

• The North Carolina Department of Justice
• North Carolina Office of the State Controller

Since you already have insurance coverage you must complete the waiver on-line at www.bcbsnc.com/student each Fall & Spring.  Please print out and keep the confirmation number and e-mail you receive for the student accounts office in case we need to contact Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina on your behalf.

• Required for parking on campus
• Permits must be paid for at the Campus Police Office in the Business Services Building. 
• Please have your vehicle registration/information and drivers license to fill out the required registration form.
• Permits are valid for 1 year only from August 20XX-August 20XX

Contact your Financial Aid Counselor

Contact your Financial Aid Counselor

Review your account through BraveWeb and the Online Account Center 

Steps to receive direct deposit refunds

1. Student will sign into BraveWeb account
2. Click “Online Account Center”
3. Click “eRefunds” located at the top of the screen
4. Click “Add”
5. Enter bank account information
6. Click “Save”

Please contact the Bursar's Office in Lumbee Hall, room 109 or call 521-6855 regarding direct deposit information.

Refund checks will be mailed to the payee’s permanent address on file in the Registrar’s Office.

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If you are no longer a registered student and would like to make payment toward your Bursar balance, follow this link https://braveweb.uncp.edu/external/billpay