What if i graduated college with my bachelors degree in August 2017, but attended two semesters as a full time student in 2017? Can I still claim the education expense?

[MichaelDC · Accepted solution]

Yes, you can. Generally speaking, you are considered as a full-time student you are enrolled in a school for the number of hours or courses considered by the school to be full-time during some part of at least 5 calendar months during the year. However, each school defines "full time" in its own way (usually in terms of the number of courses or hours). If you are considered as a full-time student by your school, you will check YES to the question on the screen. Make sure to check with your school's registrar office to be sure.  See attached screenshot

According to IRS publication 17, you are a full-time student if you are enrolled at a school for the number of hours or classes that the school considers full time. You must be full-time for some part of each of 5 calendar months during the year. (The months need not be consecutive)

For claiming the educational benefit purposes, full time is also equivalent to at least half-time that is if the student was taking at least half the normal full-time workload for his or her course of study. The standard for what is half of the normal full-time workload is also determined by each eligible educational institution.