https://support.taxslayer.com/hc/en-us/articles/360015702252-Form-1098-T-Tuition-Statement-explained
Schools must make Form 1098-T available to any student who paid, in the previous tax year, "qualified educational expenses". Tuition, any fees that are required for enrollment, and course materials the student was required to buy from the school are qualified expenses. If someone else pays the expenses on behalf of the student (such as a parent), the student can still get "credit" for the expenses and therefore gets the 1098-T. Schools must send or make the form available to the student by January 31 and file a copy with the IRS by February 28. Many schools make the form available online for students (or parents) to retrieve.
If the amount in Box 5 (your scholarships) is GREATER THAN the amount in Box 1 (or Box 2, whichever is filled in on your 1098-T), then you cannot use any expenses to reduce your tax bill
The amount in box 5 is LESS THAN the amount in Box 1 (or Box 2, whichever is filled in on your 1098-T), then you can use the expenses as a deduction or credit. Subtract Box 5 from Box 1 (or Box 2)
