<p>Hi guys, I'm a college student in california. It's about filing taxes and I really don't know how I go about it. I was a work study student last year and gave my mom a form that summarizes the financial aid I got, work study, scholarships, grants, loan from the university. So I guess she took care of the taxes.</p>
<p>Anyways, this year, I got over the threshold for work study, received a scholarship of $3,500 for my education abroad this past semester. what should i do in filing/telling IRS I receive a scholarship? Also, should I file for my own taxes, even though my mom is claiming me as dependent? Sorry I'm clearly inexperience with filing taxes and really confused.</p>
<p>Check with the accounting department at your college. Most will have a group of volunteer students who help with filing easier tax forms and this could at least be a starting point.</p>
<p>Drew - You’d think this would be a straightforward matter … but it isn’t. A friend of the family who’s an accountant might offer an opinion. But you should also ask your Mom and the aforementioned ombudsmen at your college. </p>
<p>PS, if you want to get some idea of how un-straightforward this is, ask a couple of accounting professors how to handle your situation. I’ll wager the answer(s) will be “Well you should ask someone who’s more familiar with those issues.”</p>
<p>Definitely check in with your financial aid office – they may not be able to offer tax advice but they may tell you "in our experience many students have done . . . " which is at least a nudge in the right direction.</p>