Form 8863 hasn't changed in years except for the income limits. To qualify for the maximum deduction, only $4,000 must be paid out of pocket, per student. The AOTC can only be claimed 4 years per student.
The AOTC is then divided up into two different refund areas. Lines 25 and 29 will combine to reach the full refund of $2,500 per student. Line 25 is the nonrefundable portion, up to $1,500 used to reduce tax liability. Line 29 is the refundable portion, up to $1,000.
Once the AOTC has been used for 4 years, you can switch to the Lifetime Learning Credit. It is a nonrefundable credit up to $2,000. Information about both credits are listed. See:
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