The form FASFA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid is not the same as the American Opportunity Credit. The application for federal student aid is filed each, in order to get help with paying your tuition and fees.
The American Opportunity Credit is a tax credit you may be eligible to claim when you file your tax return each year. It is a credit based on the out-of-pocket qualifying expenses that you paid. Please view the TurboTax link below for more information about this educational credit.
Note: You will only qualify for an education credit if you were not a dependent during 2017. If you were, then your parents may qualify to claim the expenses instead.
https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/college-and-education/what-are-education-tax-credits/L7TuLrVqZ
