I didn't receive my 1098-t

so why is the school not sending me one?

What if they didn’t send you a 1098 and turbo tax is asking for a federal file number but you don’t know what it is?

Yes, you can claim education credit or deduction if you did not receive a form 1098T .  After you enter the school name in the Education section, you will be asked if you received a Form 1098 from this school.  Answer no, and you will be asked to enter the qualified expense on the next screen.  This includes all expenses whether paid by a loan or a grant.  Your grant income input will be asked for later and will reduce the qualified expense amount. Expenses paid for with school loans are the same as being paid by you and may qualify you for a credit.

If my grant and loan exceeded my tuition bill and I received a refund for unused money, do I include that?

You would not enter more than the total qualified education expenses, including tuition, as an expense.  Even if you had loan proceeds in excess of your expenses.  If you got a refund of tuition, do not include it as an expense.