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New Member
posted Jun 4, 2019 1:06:55 PM

What if I paid for a class out of pocket?

Since I was not considered a full-time student, I did not qualify for financial aid and I had to pay $1,400 out of pocket for a class. How do I claim that?

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3 Replies
Intuit Alumni
Jun 4, 2019 1:06:56 PM

After sign in , select Take me to my return

 1.  At right upper corner, in the search box , type in education expenses then Press Enter.

2.  Choose the 1st choice Jump to education expenses on the search results /

3.  The program will take you directly to Did you want to enter your higher education expenses ?  Select Yes and continue through 

Since you are not a full time student, instead of the American Opportunity Tax Credit, you may qualify for the Lifetime Learning Credit and Tuition & Fees deductions, whichever will maximize the refund.

New Member
Jan 21, 2022 3:33:41 PM

How does your reply answer the question asked? LOL. So bad

Level 15
Jan 21, 2022 6:21:32 PM

Full time student is irrelevant. Part time students qualify for education credits.  You must be half time or more to claim the most generous credit.  TurboTax will select the best credit you qualify for.

 

Qualifying for financial aid is irrelevant.  It's out of pocket money (or loans) that qualifies for the credit. 

 

How do you claim it?  You fill out form 8863 and  attach it to your form 1040. To get TurboTax to do that, follow the instructions, in the other reply or these steps:

In TurboTax (TT), enter at:

Federal Taxes Tab 

Deductions & Credits

-Scroll down to:

--Education

  --Education Expenses

 

You will have to upgrade from the free edition.

 

If you can be claimed as a dependent, by someone else (e.g. parent), you cannot claim a tuition credit.  The person who claims you, as a dependent,  can claim the credit for your education, even though you were the one who paid the tuition.