Why didn't I receive the American Opportunity Credit for Education? I am a FT student, not a dependent, little income, live on med school loans.

[Hal_Al · Accepted solution]

Med school is graduate level.  Grad students are not eligible for the American Opportunity Credit, except in the year they also received their bachelors degree.  Even then they can't get the refundable portion.

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 the (up to) $1000 refundable 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#en_US_2024_publink53002gd0e674