DS is taking piano lessons through his college. He will receive course credit, the same amount as academic courses. The program includes weekly private lessons, group classes, juries, etc. Placement in the program is by audition (i.e., competitive). He is not a music major.
There is a charge of $700 per semester for this program, which is not considered tuition. I am wondering if I can use 529 funds to pay for it. Does anyone know? I’ve read everything I can find, including the IRS publication, and can’t find an answer.
He’s receiving college credit for the lessons which cost $700/semester — I don’t see anything that would say it’s NOT a qualified expense. The credits are the very definition of a qualified expense, right?
Is it a course fee? Like how some courses such as art, science, online courses, etc., sometimes have extra fees? Is it billed on his tuition statement?
I don’t know how it is billed. There was a statement that listed tuition, room, board, fees, that had to be paid by August 1. Auditions for the “applied music program” were late last week, and lessons start this week. I assume that a new charge will appear this week. The website describes it this way: “For an additional fee, students may elect to take private lessons through our Applied Music Program.”
Well for some things how it is billed could factor in the decision as to whether or not it is a qualified educational expenses for purposes of 529. How it appears on the bill might shed some light on a kind of oddball situation.