I was curious on the AOTC Eligibility Guidelines. I only took 3 credits (Less than Half-Time) in the Spring 2021 to graduate. But I started graduate school in Fall 2021 and was Full-Time. I have not claimed the tax credit for the 4-years yet, did not finish my undergraduate before the tax year, and was at least a half-time student for an academic period (Which was graduate school). Do I still qualify under the guidelines.
Q9. If a student was an undergraduate student during the first part of the tax year and became a graduate student that same year, can the student claim or be claimed for the AOTC for the qualified tuition and related expenses during paid during the entire tax year?
A9. Yes, AOTC can be claimed for this student for qualified educational expenses paid during the entire tax year, if all other requirements are met and the student:
- Has not completed the first four years of post-secondary (education after high school) education as of the beginning of the tax year, and
- Has not claimed the AOTC for more than four tax years.
To be eligible for AOTC, the student must:
- Be pursuing a degree or other recognized education credential
- Be enrolled at least half time for at least one academic period* beginning in the tax year
- Not have finished the first four years of higher education at the beginning of the tax year
- Not have claimed the AOTC or the former Hope credit for more than four tax years
- Not have a felony drug conviction at the end of the tax year
*Academic Period can be semesters, trimesters, quarters or any other period of study such as a summer school session. The schools determine the academic periods. For schools that use clock or credit hours and do not have academic terms, the payment period may be treated as an academic period.
