Should I say I am a full-time student?

[kelsey-walden]

In 2016, I was a full-time college student from January 2016-April 2016. I graduated from college on April 28th, 2016. Since this is only 4 months, does that mean I qualify as a student?

[Phillip1]

Being a full-time student is an issue if your parent's are wishing to claim you as a dependent on their tax return. If there were only 4 months spent as a full-time student, you will not qualify as a full-time student for the dependency test. If you did any graduate school later in the year, that would count towards the 5 months for the full-time student test because the 5 months do not need to be consecutive.

However, you will still be able to claim your education expenses for one of the education credits or the tuition and fees deduction.