How can i get turbotax to accept my entry for 1098 e interest i am still paying each year even though he is no longer my dependent?

If the student is not being claimed on your tax return as a dependent then you cannot enter any type of education expense or credit on your tax return.

If the student loan is in the student's name then you cannot claim the student loan interest paid on your tax return.

You should be able to claim the student loan interest deduction if all of the following apply:

You paid interest on a qualified student loan in tax year 2018;
You're legally obligated to pay interest on a qualified student loan;
Your filing status isn't married filing separately;
Your MAGI is less than a specified amount which is $80,000 for single and $165,000 for married filing jointly in 2018.
You or your spouse, if filing jointly, can't be claimed as dependents on someone else's return.

Do these all apply to your situation?