Why isn't my lifetime learning credit being applied to my refund total?

[xmasbaby0]

That credit is not refundable.  It can only reduce your tax owed down to zero.  It is not added to your refund.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3262984-who-is-eligible-for-the-lifetime-learning-credit

[Hal_Al]

The Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC)is a non refundable credit.  It can only be used to reduce your tax liability. It is not added to your refund. Note that it goes on line 20 of form 1040*.

* From form 8863, to Schedule 3 then to line 20 of your 1040. 

[Vanessa A]

The Lifetime Learning Credit is a nonrefundable credit.  This means, it can lower your tax liability to $0, but will not result in a refund if you did not have a tax liability to start with or did not pay taxes in or have taxes withheld to be refunded . 

To see if you did receive any portion of the Lifetime Learning Credit look at Schedule 3 line 3.  

You can see your schedule 3 by clicking the following: Tools>>Tax Tools>>View Tax Summary>>Preview My 1040>> then scroll to your Schedule 3