You made a mistake that is very common among students and young people who are inexperienced and are filing their first tax returns. This can be fixed, but it takes awhile. First----by saying on your own tax return that no one could claim you as a dependent, you have blocked your parents' ability to e-file and claim you. They can still file their tax return that claims you as a dependent, but they cannot e-file now. The only way they can file their tax return that claims you and the education credit is to file by mail. They have to print, sign and mail their tax return this year.
Meanwhile, after your own return has been fully processed, then you have to amend it. You will use a Form 1040X. When you go to My Info, it asks you if you can be claimed as someone else's dependent. You have to change your answer to YES.
It will not help your parents to wait for you to amend. They can mail their return whenever they are ready to mail it. The IRS will process their mailed return, allow them to claim you and allow the education credit. It will all just take longer and they will wait longer for their refund because it takes the IRS longer to process mailed returns.
Going forward.....while you are still a full-time student under the age of 24, even if you have income from a job---you can file your own tax return to seek a refund of tax that was withheld from your paychecks. BUT----on your own tax return you MUST say that you can be claimed as someone else's dependent.
**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.**
