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posted Jun 1, 2019 5:06:50 AM

I graduated college may of 2017 is that count as full time student as it says at least 5 months of the year.

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1 Best answer
Expert Alumni
Jun 1, 2019 5:06:53 AM

Yes, a full time student is defined by the IRS. 

Full-time student. A full-time student is a student who is enrolled for the number of hours or courses the school considers to be full-time attendance. The 5 calendar months don't have to be consecutive or full months.  Some part of 5 different months. 

School defined.   A school can be an elementary school, junior or senior high school, college, university, or technical, trade, or mechanical school. However, an on-the-job training course, correspondence school, or school offering courses only through the Internet doesn’t count as a school.

3 Replies
Level 15
Jun 1, 2019 5:06:51 AM

If you were *enrolled* as a full time student for any semester that *started* in the tax year, for at least 5 months, then you were a full time student in 2017. If you graduated on May 1st, then the entire month of May counts as one of your five months.

Expert Alumni
Jun 1, 2019 5:06:53 AM

Yes, a full time student is defined by the IRS. 

Full-time student. A full-time student is a student who is enrolled for the number of hours or courses the school considers to be full-time attendance. The 5 calendar months don't have to be consecutive or full months.  Some part of 5 different months. 

School defined.   A school can be an elementary school, junior or senior high school, college, university, or technical, trade, or mechanical school. However, an on-the-job training course, correspondence school, or school offering courses only through the Internet doesn’t count as a school.

Level 15
Jun 1, 2019 5:06:55 AM

That IRS definition of "School" confuses some, because you can't claim education expenses for grades K-12.