In the education section, there is the option of adding books and materials required to be purchased from the school, and books and materials not required to be purchased from the school.
The difference is that the Lifetime Learning Credit only counts expenses that were paid to the school, in other words "required" to be purchased from the school. This would cover most trade schools, although the credit can be used for a university or college also.
The American Opportunity Tax Credit is geared for college students and includes expenses paid to the school, and also paid elsewhere, such as an online bookstore.
