Answer
No, as long as the organization giving you the tuition scholarship applies it directly to the school’s tuition, it is not taxable. However, if a grantor gives you cash and you then apply it to your tuition, the grantor is supposed to withhold 14% if you are in F, J, M, or Q immigration status and report the cash scholarship on Form 1042-S under Income Code 16.
You can obtain a refund of the amount withheld by filing a Form 1040NR-EZ and reducing the scholarship by the amount of your tuition. You will have to attach a letter from your school or an invoice which shows the amount of your tuition as proof that the cash was applied to your tuition.