No, the IRS is very fussy about only allowing credits in the year they apply to. If you were entitled to a credit last year, you can amend the 2017 return to get that credit. If you were over the limit last year, so was not able to claim the credit, you can't take it this year. Your 10,000 payment is offsetting the taxable scholarship this year for the student. Make sure none of the scholarship is for a different year's expenses.
