20 y,o. undergrads, who do not support themselves with earned income are not eligible for the (up to) $1000 refundable portion (not $2500) of the American Opportunity (AOC) credit. The $4000 Tuition & Fees deduction (TFD) must have been all that was needed to get your income tax to zero. In that case, it's better than the credit because it transfers to the state return, as well.
