Yes, you can probably claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit, if you meet all the requirements. But you are going to have to talk with your parents first, and be certain that they are not claiming you as a dependent. If you provided over half of your support for the year, they should not be claiming you, but the answer lies in details that I do not know, such as how much of your support was made up of the tuition that they paid for you.
The most important fact to be remembered here is that only one education credit may be claimed per year with
respect to any one student.
The following guidance for the American Opportunity
Tax Credit is taken from IRS Pub. 970 Tax Benefits for
Education. It is written from the parents' perspective, but I think you will find it helpful.
"If there are qualified education expenses for your
dependent during a tax year, either you or
your dependent, but not both of you, can claim an American Opportunity
Credit for your dependent's expenses for that year.
For you to claim an American Opportunity Credit for your
dependent's expenses, you must also claim an exemption for your dependent. You
do this by listing your dependent's name and other required information on Form
1040 (or Form 1040A), line 6c.
Expenses paid by dependent. If
you claim an exemption on your tax return for an eligible student who is your
dependent, treat any expenses paid (or deemed paid) by your dependent as if you
had paid them. Include these expenses when figuring the amount of your American
Opportunity Credit.
Expenses paid by you. If
you claim an exemption for a dependent who is an eligible student, only you can
include any expenses you paid when figuring the amount of the American
Opportunity Credit. If neither you nor anyone else claims an exemption for the
dependent, only the dependent can include any expenses you paid when figuring
the American Opportunity Credit."
