Qualified scholarships and fellowships are treated as tax-free amounts if all of the following conditions are met:

1. You are a candidate for a degree at an educational institution,
2. Amounts you receive as a scholarship or fellowship are used for tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at the educational institution, or for books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction, and
3. The amounts received are not a payment for your services.

For additional information on Scholarship and Fellowship Grants, refer to Tax Topic 421, and Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education.

References:

• Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education
• Tax Topic 421, Scholarship and fellowship grants

Source: www.irs.gov