Resource & Forms
Policies & 1098-T
Review SHSU cashier policies and learn how to access your 1098-T tax form.
Learn about SHSU's returned payment policy and procedures for resolving returned payments.
Learn SHSU's policy for student charges and payments, including tuition deadlines, installment options, late balance consequences, and links to due dates and payment plans.
Review SHSU's Payment Terms Agreement, outlining financial responsibilities, tuition deadlines, installment plan enrollment, returned payment policies, and consequences for unpaid balances.
Understanding Your 1098‑T Form:
Access your IRS Form 1098T and learn how it reports qualified tuition, fees, scholarships, and grants for tax purposes. Find out what’s included, how to view or request your form, and get answers to common questions about education tax credits.
What is IRS Form 1098-T
- This tuition statement is issued by Sam Houston State University as required by the IRS to help you complete your federal tax return. It reports payments received and processed toward qualified tuition and related expenses (QTRE).
- If you intend to claim an education tax credit, you should still retain receipts and invoices, even if they differ from what’s shown on your 1098T.
- SHSU cannot provide tax advice. You should consult a tax professional for guidance.
Box 1 vs. Box 5 — What Goes Where?
Box 1: Payments Received
Sam Houston State University, based on limited IRS guidance, has identified which charges are included or excluded from qualified tuition and related expenses. Note: IRS Publication 970 states, "the amount on Form 1098-T might be different from the amount you actually paid and are deemed to have paid." Additionally, IRS Form 8863 instructions clarify that you may claim qualified expenses not reported on the 1098-T if you can substantiate payment.
Includes:
- Instate or outofstate tuition
- Program-related charges
- Mandatory fees (excluding medical fees)
- Undergraduate textbook charges
- Education/technology fees
- Student activity fees
Excluded from Box 1:
- Housing, meals, express accounts, insurance
- Interest, late fees, library fines, orientation fees
- Parking permits, medical service charges
- Fines, health services, or broken equipment fees
The timing of charges, payments, and scholarships affects how they are reported on your 1098-T. Payments made in the current year may include non-qualified expenses (housing, dining, etc.) or future Spring charges posted in December. Scholarships or grants for those future charges may post in the following year, which could result in a 1098-T showing $0 in Box 1 but an amount in Box 5. Consult a tax preparer for guidance on your individual situation.
Box 5: Scholarships, grants & waivers
Includes:
- Scholarships, grants, thirdparty sponsored payments
- Waivers (such as Hazelwood, book waivers) and veteran education benefits
Does not include:
- Student loans, work-study funds
- Scholarships or reimbursements not managed by SHSU’s financial services or aid office.
Why Box 1 & Box 5 May Differ from Your Payments
- Payments may be allocated to future semesters or nonQTRE fees.
- Some scholarship or waiver amounts may be applied in a different calendar year.
- You may have paid tuition in December that applies to the following spring term.
- All these timing or allocation factors can lead to mismatches between what you paid and what’s reported.
- Use your fee statement as the most accurate record of payments toward QTRE.
How You Receive Your 1098T
- Most students receive their 1098T electronically through the MySam student portal. It becomes available by January 31.
- If you opted out of electronic delivery, SHSU will mail your 1098T to your address on file.
- If you lose access to MySam or did not receive your form, you can request a mailed copy by contacting Student Financial Services (SFS). They cannot email the form due to security policies.