Are you looking for your 1098T form? Do you have questions? Most questions are answered by reading this detailed information about the 1098T process. If you still have questions after reading this e-mail in its entirety, please e-mail 1098T@vsc.edu and include your student ID number, the college you attend (or attended), and your question in detail.
PLEASE NOTE– Vermont State Colleges must get your correct identifying number to file Form 1098T, Tuition Statement, with the IRS and to furnish a statement to you. This will be your Social Security number (SSN) or, if you are not eligible to obtain an SSN, your individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Form 1098T contains information about qualified tuition and related expenses to help determine whether you, or the person who can claim you as a dependent, may take either the tuition and fees deduction or claim an education credit to reduce Federal income tax. For more information, see IRS Pub. 970, Tax Benefits for Higher Education. To add, update or correct your SSN or ITIN number, please use the form W9s and mail, Fax or drop off at your college.
IMPORTANT TAX RETURN DOCUMENT INFORMATION
1098Ts are available after Jan 31st to students and parents who are authorized by their students to view them. Students, former students & authorized users* will access the current and recent year 1098T forms on the VSC bill payment site. This e-mail includes all the steps you will need to obtain your form.
Make sure you have the most current version of Adobe Reader and that your pop-ups are not blocked. If you enable them during your visit, you will have to log out completely of your browser and back in to activate. If you are using a Mac computer, open by using Safari and enable pop-ups.
Students – To view or print your 1098T form use these instructions:
- Enter the portal address, https://portal.vsc.edu;
- Choose “VSC Bill Payment for Students and Authorized Users.”
(https://sycamore.vsc.edu/C21736_tsa/web/login.jsp) - Use your VSC Portal ID and password* to log into the Student and Staff box.
- Consent to viewing documents electronically to view the site.
- All available 1098T forms will appear on the “My Account” page.
- Follow instructions for viewing and downloading form.
*If you are unsure of your user ID or password, go to and follow the links labeled “What’s my username?” (https://password.vsc.edu/identity/self-service/vsc/forgotuserid.jsf ) or “I forgot my password” (https://password.vsc.edu/identity/self-service/vsc/kiosk.jsf ).
*Students who consent to electronic access of the 1098T form may allow authorized users access to 1098T forms. To authorize, students must log in; choose “Authorized Users” under My Profile Setup on the right. “Edit” or “Add
Authorized User” and select “yes” for view 1098T. Once added, authorized users will receive login information via email, and will have access to the student’s account based on the selection made by the student.
*Authorized users:
- Enter https://sycamore.vsc.edu/C21736_tsa/web/login.jsp
- Scroll down to the “Authorized Users” box and using the e-mail issued by your student; and the password* you created, enter the site.
- Consent to viewing documents electronically to view the site
- All available 1098T forms will appear on the “my account” page
- Follow instructions for viewing and downloading form
*Authorized users, If you are unsure of your password, enter your e-mail and click “Have a temporary password e-mailed to you”.
Payments are reported on 1098T forms for the 2020 year** – Students can view their billing statements for the detailed charges and payments or go to WebServices using their username and password for a summary of the charges. Follow these instructions:
- Enter the WebServices website
- Click on “Log in” the upper right using your Portal User ID and Password.
- Select STUDENTS tab; Select STUDENT BILLING/FINANCIALS;
- Select “1098T STUDENT ACCOUNT SUMMARY” (summary of charges and payments)
The VSC uses the Box 1 method** for reporting to the IRS
Room / Meals are not considered qualified tuition costs, only tuition, student activity fee, facilities fee and some course fees, so you will not find room & meal charges reflected on your 1098T’s.
The following will help you in understanding how box 2, 4, 5 and 6 on 1098T is calculated for 2020 tax year- all net credits incurred in 2020 for prior individual years will go in only box 4 of 2020 1098T form and no negative values on any 1098T boxes whatsoever. Excerpts below are taken directly from the IRS website*:
Box 1. Payments Received for Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses** –
Enter the total amount of payments received for qualified tuition and related expenses from all sources during the calendar year. The amount reported is the total amount of payments received less any reimbursements or refunds made during the calendar year that relate to the payments received for qualified tuition and related expenses during the same calendar year. The amount reported is not reduced by scholarships and grants reported in box 5. Include in this box the receipt of a payment of past-due qualified tuition or related expenses from a previous calendar year, but only if the educational institution previously billed the student for such amount(s).
Box 2. Will be blank.
Box 4 includes
- Net credits incurred in the current tax year for 2019 and individual prior years (i.e., the student above got rebilled in 2020 and the charges for 2019 should have been $600 instead of $894, then box 4 in 2020 should recapture $294 net charge (box 2 of prior 1098T minus $600 actual amount that should have been reported)
Box 5 includes:
- Grant or scholarship administered in 2020 for any current and future terms
- Increase or decrease in the current tax year for scholarship or grant administered in prior years
Box 6 includes:
- Reduction in the current tax year for grant or scholarship administered in prior years
Form 1098T. Eligible educational institutions (such as VSC) must send Form 1098T (or acceptable substitute) to each enrolled student by January 31, 2020.
*https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1098et_20.pdf
**https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/a-16-42.pdf
Please consult your tax advisor with specific questions on how you use the 1098T or the implications of your tax refund; we are unable to answer tax-related questions.
