You can claim the credit if you paid for anything. Did you have a 1099-Q or scholarship that covered it all?
Maybe you did it wrong last year.
There's a new urban myth among college students that says they can get a $1000 from the government just for filing a tax form. For most of them, they simply aren't eligible. A full time unmarried student, under age 24, even if you don't qualify as a dependent, is only eligible for the refundable portion of the American Opportunity Credit if he supports himself by working. You cannot be supporting yourself on parental support, 529 plans or student loans & grants. It is usually best if the parent claims that credit.
You cannot claim a credit if you are, or can be, claimed as a dependent by someone else.
Reference: Line 7 instructions for form 8863. https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i8863
If you are eligible, you have answered something wrong, in the interview. But, a lot of people are just not eligible.
see this TT FAQ https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3383321-why-didn-t-i-get-a-credit-or-deduction-for-education-expen...
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