How will being a full time student affect instead of a half time student affect my return

[CathiM · Accepted solution]

There is no real advantage to being a full time student over a half time student, except that your parents could possibly claim you if you are under the age of 24.  But even then, "full time" is defined as "at least part time for five calendar months of the year".

You don't have to be full time to be eligible for an education credit. 

If you were half time, you are still eligible for American Opportunity Tax Credit,  you must be enrolled at least half time for at least one academic period* beginning in 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.

For Lifetime Learning Credit and Tuition and Fees deduction you don't have to even be half time.