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I'm filling out the FAFSA and it asks about: "Taxable earnings from Work-study, Assistantships or Fellowships", and the description says "Taxable earnings from need-based employment programs, such as Federal Work-study and need-based employment portions of fellowships and assistantships." I have a teaching assistantship at a graduate school, but it's merit-based, not need-based. I assume this income should not be entered into this box. Is that correct?

do you get paid by check, or does the pay go straight to tuition ( and you dont see a dime)?
if its the first- report it, if its the second, i dont htink you have to
either way, contact financial aid and ask for clarificationm, especially if you dont see a paycheck ( its like a scholarship- you dont see any money- but your tuition is lowered)

Thanks. I called FAFSA (amazingly they are still open!) It's a stipend, but not need-based. So I report it as income, but not as: "Taxable earnings from need-based employment programs, such as Federal Work-study and need-based employment portions of fellowships and assistantships".