Education

After taking classes at College V on a

part-time basis for a few years, Shelly became a full-time

student for the 2013 spring semester. College V classified

Shelly as a second-semester senior (fourth year) for the

2013 spring semester and as a first-semester graduate

student (fifth year) for the 2013 fall semester. Because

College V did not classify Shelly as having completed the

first 4 years of postsecondary education as of the begin-

ning of 2013, Shelly is an eligible student for tax year

2013. Therefore, the qualified education expenses paid

for the 2013 spring semester and the 2013 fall semester

are taken into account in calculating the American oppor-

tunity credit for 2013."

2) From http://webs.purduecal.edu"
                       STUDENT CLASSIFICATION FORMULA CREDIT HOURS CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY
0-15          1          Freshman
16-30        2          2nd Semester Freshman
31-45        3          Sophomore
46-60        4          2nd Semester Sophomore
61-75        5           Junior
76-90        6          2nd Semester Junior
91-105      7           Senior
106+         8           2nd Semester Senior

From my understanding as long as your college doesn't classify you as a graduate at the beginning of the tax year (Jan 2013 in this case) and you or your parents didn't claim AOTC or Hope combined 4 times you are an eligible student.