Q. I have read the description for american opportunity credit and lifetime learning credit and i qualify, so why am I not getting it?
A. The most likely reason is that you read it wrong. Second most likely is that you entered something wrong.
It may only be you are looking in the wrong place. The non-refundable portion shows on line 3 of schedule 3 and will be blank if you had no tax liability to off set. The refundable portion (up to $1000 will be on line 29 of form 1040.
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 a 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
References:
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3383321-why-didn-t-i-get-a-credit-or-deduction-for-education-expen...
https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/AOTC
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/american-opportunity-tax-credit-questions-and-answers
https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/education-credits-questions-and-answers
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/llc
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/i-have-a-1098-t-form-that-i-received-...
