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Level 2
April 14, 2026
Question

Had 4 years of college credit before 2025?

  • April 14, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 67 views

I spent 3 years to get my BS Degree at my college and earned my degree in 2024. I have been a Grad student since 2024 and continuing.  "When TT asks: Had 4 years of college credit before 2025", do I qualify for the credit?

    3 replies

    Level 15
    April 14, 2026

    Your post does not specify what education credit you are asking about.    You cannot get the American Opportunity Tax Credit for education beyond your bachelor's degree.   If you are in graduate school, you may be able to use the Lifetime Learning Credit.

     

    LIFETIME LEARNING CREDIT

    https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-credits-deductions/expenses-qualify-lifetime-learning-credit/L7cpyQLrJ_US_en_US?uid=m6eg46im

     

    **Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
    MaryK4
    Level 15
    April 14, 2026

    Based on the information you provided, the answer to the TurboTax question "Had 4 years of college credit before 2025" is "YES."

     

    The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) defines the completion of the "first four years of higher education" based on whether you have been awarded a bachelor's degree, not necessarily how many calendar years you spent in school.  According to the IRS, "A student has completed the first four years of post-secondary education if the institution at which the student is enrolled awards the student 4 years of academic credit at that institution for coursework completed by the student before [the beginning of the tax year]."

     

    Since you earned your BS degree in 2024, your college considered you to have completed the academic equivalent of four years of post-secondary education before January 1, 2025.

     

    Because you must answer "Yes" to completing four years of credit, you are not eligible to claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit for your 2025 graduate school expenses.

     

    See American Opportunity Tax Credit.

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    Hal_Al
    Level 15
    Level 15
    April 14, 2026

    Having received a bachelor's degree counts as having competed 4 years of post secondary education ("4 years of college credit before 2025"), no matter the actual time it took you.