I am a student, independent, but my parents paid my tuition. Why didn’t I get the American Opportunity Credit? None of the listed common reasons apply to me.

[SharonD007]

Check the amount in box 5 of your 1098-T. If it's more than the amount in box 1, that may be the reason.

[Hal_Al]

Your parents paying the tuition does not disqualify a non-dependent student from claiming the AOTC.

But, there's a new urban myth among college students that says they can get a $1000 from the government just for filing a tax form. For most of them, they simply aren't eligible. A full time unmarried student, under age 24, even if you don't qualify as a dependent, is only eligible for the refundable portion of the American Opportunity Credit if he supports himself by working. You cannot be supporting yourself on parental support, 529 plans or student loans & grants. It is usually best if the parent claims that credit. 

You cannot claim the (up to) $1000 refundable credit if you are, or can be, claimed as a dependent by someone else.

Reference: Line 7 instructions for form 8863.

https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i8863#en_US_2024_publink53002gd0e674