Can i claim tution I paid for my son even though I dont claim him on my taxesT the check was made out to University from me with my son's name on it also

The tuition expense can only be claimed for deduction or credit by the person (student or someone else) who claims the student as a dependent on their tax return. It doesn't matter who actually paid it. Whoever claims the student can claim payments made on the student's behalf by anyone else.