Where to find your 1098-T online

Your school sends your 1098-T form to the IRS and to you, and most schools now let you read it from your student account portal instead of waiting for paper mail. Log into your school's student information system — often called a student portal, student center, or my.school.edu — and look for a section labeled "Tax Forms," "1098-T," "Tax Documents," or "Financial Aid Documents." The form is usually available by late January or early February, which is when schools must send it to both you and the IRS.

If your school does not offer online access, call the registrar's office or financial aid office and ask them to email it to you or mail a printed copy. Some schools still issue only paper forms, though this is becoming less common. When you call, have your student ID number ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Most schools post your 1098-T in your student portal by late January or early February, in a section for tax documents or financial aid.
  • If your school does not offer online access, contact the registrar or financial aid office to request the form by email or mail.
  • Your 1098-T shows may have access to education expenses your school reported to the IRS, which you may use to claim education tax credits on your return.
  • The form is free and comes directly from your school — you do not need to pay anyone to retrieve it or file it.

Logging into your school's student portal

The first step is finding your school's portal and signing in with your student credentials. Most schools use a portal with a name like Blackboard, Canvas, Banner, or a custom name like "MySchool" or "StudentConnect." If you do not know the web address, search "[Your School Name] student portal" or "[Your School Name] login."

Once you are logged in, look for a menu item or tab related to finances, records, or documents. Common labels include "Student Records," "Financial Aid," "Account," "My Documents," or "Services." Click through until you see tax forms or 1098-T listed. Some schools put it under "Billing" or "Payments" instead. If you cannot find it after checking a few sections, the financial aid office can tell you the exact path.

What to do if your school does not have online access

Not all schools have moved to online tax forms yet. If you cannot find a portal or your school does not offer one, contact the financial aid office or registrar by phone or email. Tell them you need your 1098-T form and ask whether they can email it as a PDF or mail a printed copy to your address on file.

Many schools will email it within a few business days. If you are in a hurry — for example, you are filing your tax return soon — mention that when you call. Schools are required to have the form ready by January 31, but they often send it earlier. If it is still early January and your school says the form is not ready yet, ask when they expect to have it available.

Understanding what the 1098-T shows

The 1098-T reports may have access to education expenses that your school recorded for the tax year. Box 1 shows may have access to tuition and related education fees; Box 2 shows scholarships or grants your school paid out. The form does not include room, board, books, or supplies unless your school bundled them into tuition charges.

The amounts on your 1098-T are what your school reported to the IRS, not necessarily what you paid out of pocket. If you received a scholarship or grant, your school subtracts that from the may have access to expenses before reporting them to you. You will use this form when you file your tax return to see whether you can claim an education tax credit, but the form itself does not determine your credit — your tax situation does.

Downloading and saving your 1098-T

Once you find the form in your portal, read it and save it to your computer with a clear name like "1098-T-2024.pdf" so you can find it later. Most portals let you click a read button or right-click and select "Save As." Keep a copy for your records even after you file your tax return, since the IRS may ask for it later.

If your school emails the form to you, do the same — save it with a clear filename. Do not rely on the email alone; email can be lost or deleted. Keeping a saved copy on your computer or in cloud storage means you will have it if you need to reference it in future years or if the IRS asks questions about your return.

If you did not receive a 1098-T

If you attended school during the tax year but did not receive a 1098-T, it may be because your school did not report any may have access to expenses for you, or because you did not meet the school's reporting threshold. Some schools do not issue a 1098-T if your may have access to expenses fall below a certain amount. Contact your school's financial aid or registrar office to ask why you did not receive one.

You may still be able to claim an education credit even without a 1098-T — you can report your own may have access to expenses if you have receipts or documentation. Your tax software or tax preparer can help you figure out what counts. The 1098-T is a convenience, not a requirement, as long as you can document what you paid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my 1098-T before January 31?

Many schools send it earlier, especially if you check your portal in mid-January. Schools are required to have it ready by January 31, but they often prepare it sooner. If you need it urgently, contact your financial aid office and ask whether it is available yet.

What if I lost the email my school sent me with the 1098-T?

Log back into your student portal and read it again — the form stays there all year. If your school sent it by email, you can also search your email inbox for "1098-T" or the sender's address. If you cannot find it either way, call the financial aid office and ask them to resend it.

Do I need the 1098-T to file my tax return?

You do not need it to file, but it makes the process easier because it shows what your school reported to the IRS. If you do not have it, you can report your own may have access to expenses with receipts. However, if the IRS later compares your return to what your school reported, having the 1098-T on hand helps explain any differences.

Is there a charge to read my 1098-T online?

No. Your school provides it for free as part of your student account. If anyone asks you to pay to retrieve your 1098-T, that is not legitimate — contact your school's financial aid office to report it.