If the college semester started in Dec 2018, I was considered full-time by the college, and received a bill in 2018, can I claim this in 2018 if loans paid in Jan 2019?

[saetra]

I'm unsure of when I should actually claim this on my taxes. I did not receive a 1098-T form from the college because it seems they file based on reporting payments received. I reached out to their financial services to confirm if they considered me full-time in December, which they do.

As shown in my cumulative account statement from the University, they received my loans on January 1st, 2019.

I've seen other similar questions about Spring semesters and bills received in December, but  I'm not sure if me actually being in school full time starting December 2018 through May 2019 will change whether or not I should report on this yet.

[MinhT · Accepted solution]

If your tuition was paid by loans only in January 2019, you can only claim these education expenses for tax year 2019 (on your next year's tax return).