As this thread demonstrates the problem is, simply stated: there is a persistent bug in the TT software for the education credit section which has yet to be fixed. A sub-problem: the experts don't understand this and continue to copy/paste repeat the same ineffective answers ad nauseum. I am doing both the 2018 and 2019 returns this year (they owe me) and am facing this problem for the 2018 year Windows version. So this bug and the same answers have been around for at least two tax years.
Here is what worked for me and may not work for you:
Leave the step-by-step (where the bug obviously is) and enter the information directly via the Forms. (Click Forms on the upper right corner for the desktop version. No idea what it would be for online rental, sorry.)
You will have to edit the "Student Info Wk" for the student you are claiming. Look for it in the form list on the left panel.
If you are OCD like me, the best way to make sure everything is fine is to launch a previous year version of TT and go to the same forms. Then compare the "Student Info Wk" and "Tuition Summary" forms and make sure the same boxes are ticked (Unless your circumstances have changed, and obviously the numbers will be different this year.)
Finally, on Part II of the Tuition Summary form, click on Launch OPTIMIZER, to trigger TT's calculation of your best benefit.
If you now go through the interview, this should have forced TT to reluctantly add the right credits. Hope this helps.
