Your University of Phoenix 1098-T is available as a PDF inside the MyPhoenix student portal by January 31 each year, and the numbers on it feed directly into an education tax credit worth up to $2,500. Log in, open Financial Plan, and pull the form before you start your return.
How to Download the Form from MyPhoenix
Sign in to MyPhoenix and follow two steps:1University of Phoenix. Student Loan Tax Form 1098-T
- Select the “Financial Plan” box toward the bottom of the page.
- On the “Overview” tab, under “Payments,” click the “Tax Forms/1098-T” link.
The form downloads as a PDF. Save it, print it, or upload it straight into your tax software. A paper copy is also mailed to the address on file, but the digital version usually shows up first.
When the Form Is Available
Federal law requires the university to furnish your 1098-T by January 31 of the year after the tax year.2GovInfo. 26 U.S. Code 6050S The digital version in MyPhoenix generally appears right around that date.1University of Phoenix. Student Loan Tax Form 1098-T
If nothing has arrived by mid-February, check that your mailing address in the portal is current and contact the university’s finance office. They can confirm whether a form was generated, reissue one, or flag an account problem that stopped it from being created. One common cause is a missing Social Security Number or ITIN in your student record; the university needs that on file to produce the form.
Reading Box 1 and Box 5
Two boxes do most of the work on this form.
Box 1 reports the total payments the university received during the calendar year for qualified tuition and related expenses. It reflects what was actually paid, net of any refunds issued in the same year, and it is not reduced by scholarships or grants reported elsewhere on the form.3Internal Revenue Service. Instructions for Forms 1098-E and 1098-T (2026)
Box 5 reports the total scholarships or grants the university administered on your behalf during the year, including federal Pell Grants, VA education benefits, military tuition assistance, and awards from civic or religious organizations. Loan proceeds are not included.3Internal Revenue Service. Instructions for Forms 1098-E and 1098-T (2026)
The gap between the two boxes drives the tax math. When Box 1 is larger, you likely have out-of-pocket expenses that support an education credit. When Box 5 is larger, some of that scholarship money may be taxable income.
When Scholarship Money Becomes Taxable
Scholarships and grants are tax-free only when used for tuition, enrollment fees, and required books, supplies, or equipment. Any portion used for room and board, travel, or optional equipment is taxable and has to go on your return.4Internal Revenue Service. Topic No. 421, Scholarships, Fellowship Grants, and Other Grants
An example: Box 5 shows $12,000 and Box 1 shows $9,000. You received $3,000 more in scholarships than went toward qualified expenses. If that $3,000 covered housing, it’s taxable income. Amounts received as payment for teaching, research, or other required services are also taxable, with narrow exceptions for certain military and National Health Service Corps programs.4Internal Revenue Service. Topic No. 421, Scholarships, Fellowship Grants, and Other Grants
If Something on the Form Looks Wrong
Compare Box 1 against what you actually paid and Box 5 against the scholarships you received. If either figure is off, contact the university’s billing or finance office and ask for a correction. The school is required to file a corrected 1098-T with the IRS and send you an updated copy. Don’t file a return using numbers you know are wrong; waiting a few weeks for the corrected form beats amending later.
Claiming an Education Credit
The information from your 1098-T goes on Form 8863, which calculates either the American Opportunity Tax Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit.5Internal Revenue Service. About Form 8863, Education Credits (American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning Credits) You can claim only one of the two per student per year.6Internal Revenue Service. Education Credits – AOTC and LLC
American Opportunity Tax Credit
The AOTC is worth up to $2,500 per eligible student. It covers 100 percent of the first $2,000 in qualified expenses plus 25 percent of the next $2,000.7Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 26 U.S. Code 25A – American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning Credits Forty percent of the credit (up to $1,000) is refundable, so you can get that portion back even if you owe no tax.8Internal Revenue Service. American Opportunity Tax Credit
Three limits matter. The AOTC is available only during the first four years of postsecondary education, you must be enrolled at least half-time, and you cannot have a felony drug conviction.7Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 26 U.S. Code 25A – American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning Credits Many bachelor’s students at University of Phoenix will qualify; if you already completed four years of college elsewhere, the AOTC is off the table.
The credit phases out with income. You get the full amount at modified adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less ($160,000 for joint filers), a reduced amount between $80,000 and $90,000 ($160,000 to $180,000 joint), and nothing above.8Internal Revenue Service. American Opportunity Tax Credit
Lifetime Learning Credit
The LLC is more flexible but smaller. It’s worth up to $2,000 per tax return (not per student) and is nonrefundable, so it can only bring your tax down to zero.9Internal Revenue Service. Lifetime Learning Credit There’s no cap on the number of years you can claim it, no half-time requirement, and graduate courses qualify. For master’s students or anyone past the first four years of college, the LLC is usually the right option.
Income phase-outs match the AOTC: full credit at $80,000 or below ($160,000 joint), reduced between $80,000 and $90,000 ($160,000 to $180,000 joint), and no credit above $90,000 ($180,000 joint).9Internal Revenue Service. Lifetime Learning Credit
Student Loan Interest Is a Separate Benefit
If you borrowed to pay for your program, you may also qualify for the student loan interest deduction, which reduces taxable income by up to $2,500 for interest paid during the year. You don’t have to itemize to claim it.10Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 26 U.S. Code 221 – Interest on Education Loans
Your loan servicer sends Form 1098-E if you paid $600 or more in interest.11Internal Revenue Service. Topic No. 456, Student Loan Interest Deduction If you paid less than that, you can still claim the deduction using the servicer’s records. Income phase-outs apply, so check the current year’s thresholds before you count on it.
This deduction and the education credits cover different costs: interest paid on loans versus qualified tuition and expenses. You can claim both in the same year, provided you’re not using the same dollars twice.