SALT has nothing to do with AOC.
I would suggest CLOSELY reading the IRS link below on who is eligible and then ensure you have answered all the TT questions correctly as well as input FORM 1098-T correctly.
https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/aotc
for the 'other dependents', again, please read the link below and ensure you have answered all the questions in TT correctly
https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-and-credit-for-other-dependents-at-a-glance
in this 2nd link there is an 'interactive tax assistant' hyperlink where the IRS will take you through a series of questions to determine which child / other dependent tax credit you are eligible for. the TT questions follow these same questions, but it make help you determine whether you are eligible or not and why not. If after answering the questions at the IRS website determines you should get the credit but TT says you shouldn't, then there is a high probability you've made a mistake in answering the questions in TT
Good luck!
