In case this applies to you...
We had the same issue and had to look at the IRS instructions for Form 8863 line 23 (page7 )
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i8863.pdf
"If the American opportunity and Hope scholarship credits have been claimed for this student for 3 or fewer prior tax years, check “No.” See Student qualifications, earlier. "
If you go by that, then a "no" answer may be correct.
