I sent money directly to a university, checks made payable to the university. Money used to off set granddaughters tuition. Is this amount deductible? As Charitable?

Q. Is this amount deductible?

A.  No

Q. As Charitable?

A. No.

If your  granddaughter qualifies as your dependent, you may count what you paid toward calculating a tuition credit.  If the parents claim her as a dependent, they may may count what you paid toward calculating a tuition credit. If she claims herself, she may count what you paid toward calculating a tuition credit (there are restrictions if she is under 24).

Although the general rule, in taxes, is that the tax filer must be the one making the payment, to get the deduction or credit, there is an exception for education.