The IRS is always correct. They state:
Special rules apply if you are claiming the EIC without a qualifying child.
In these cases, the minimum age has been lowered to age 19 except for specified students who must be at least age 24 at the end of the year. However, the applicable minimum age is lowered further for former foster youth and qualified homeless youth to age 18. Additionally, you no longer need to be under age 65 to claim the EIC without a qualifying child.
Specified student.
You qualify as a specified student if you were enrolled in a program that leads to a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential and carried at least one-half the normal workload for your course of study during at least 5 calendar months of the year or an academic period if longer.
