I am doing the taxes for my daughter. She received a $3000 as stipend to defray costs for the summer research program at her university. She was doing lab research and publishing results in a science paper and the program was sponsored by a medical institute. She recieved 1099-misc with box 3 filled for $3000. I am reporting this in line 21 of 1040. Three tax pre programs (TTax, H&RB and Taxact), take this unearned income as "investment income" and make me fill up form 8615 which increases the tax amount. She does not have any other income and she is a dependent and full time student. IRS call handler says "stipend" is not investiment income and no need to fill up 8615 if all we have is stipend. But, not sure how much I can depend on this phone call.
1. Do we have to file 8615? This form assumes (unearned income - earned income ) is investment income
2. Should this income be reported in line 21 ? What justification do I have to report it elsewhere?
3. If I dont have to file 8615, is my only option manually file the return? TaxAct allows me to delete 8615 manually, but, I will have to file in paper.

Feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks.