Am I eligible for education credits?

[Jamari526]

I graduated from college in December of 2021 but I was paying my tuition balance for fall 2021 until April of 2022 (I was no longer enrolled since graduating).  Am I still eligible to claim the tax credit?

[SharonD007]

No, you are not eligible to claim the education credits for 2022 if you were not an eligible student enrolled at an eligible educational institution in 2022. 

You must meet all three of the basic requirements to claim an education credit (American Opportunity Tax Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit).

1. You, your dependent or a third party pays qualified education expenses for higher education.
2. An eligible student must be enrolled at an eligible educational institution.
3. The eligible student is yourself, your spouse or a dependent you list on your tax return.

For additional information, please review the IRS article Education Credits.  TurboTax also has an article explaining who can claim the credit. Please see Take Advantage of Two Education Tax Credits.

[Hal_Al]

No.  To be eligible, payments made in 2022, must be for 2022 education.  Making back payments for 2021 education, in 2022, is neither eligible for a 2022 credit or a 2021 credit.