If you paid fees during 2019 and IF you are claiming the student as a dependent, take the expense. If you are NOT claiming the student as a dependent, you can NOT claim the expenses.
Here is a wealth of information by the IRS at this education-credits-questions-and-answers link.
You claim education expenses the year they are incurred. Often, parents will pay for the upcoming semester in December of the year before classes begin.
Any money spent in 2018 would need to go on a 2018 return. You can amend your return by following this link for amending instructions. Often parents will forego the first semester of college in order to possibly claim 4 full years of credit.
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