If I started college in late september but qualify as a full time student can I still claim full time status on my tax report even though it wasn't for five months?

[jconte17]

I'm a freshman this year trying to file my taxes and am being asked if I was a full time student but I wasn't for five months as of 2023

[MarilynG1]

No, unfortunately, you need to be a full-time student for 5 months of the year (the months don't have to be consecutive) to claim that status for the American Opportunity Credit.

However, if you paid any Education Expenses out-of-pocket in 2023, you can still claim them on your tax return. 

Here's more info on Full-Time Student and Education Credits. 

[Hal_Al]

Q If I started college in late September, but qualify as a full time student, do I still claim full time status on my tax report even though it wasn't for five months?

A. Yes and No.  In the personal info section, you answer NO to the fulltime student question.  Later, in the education expenses section, you check fulltime student when asked. 

Full time student has two meanings* in taxes.  First, the five month rule must be met (if you are over 18) for you to be a "Qualifying Child" dependent on your parent's (or other close relative's) tax return. Hence the question in the personal info section.  To claim a tuition credit, you only need to be half time or more, and for no specific time length (basically "full time" is meaningless in the education expenses section). 

*There are third and fourth and fifth meanings having to do with the "kiddie tax", eligibility for the refundable portion of the AOTC and eligibility for the Retirement Savers Credit.