Hal_Al
Level 15

Business & farm

The term for what you have is repayment.

Simple answer: Yes, you may take a Schedule A deduction.  It goes on line 16 of the 2019  Schedule A (still in draft mode).  Even in the "old days" it went on line 28, not line 21.

 

But, see the other replies for details and advice.  Most people come out better claiming the credit, not the deduction.