Some issues:
- Your age; you must be over 23
- Have you completed "4 years of post secondary education"
- Your dependent status
There's a new urban myth among college students that says they can get a $1000 from the government just for filing a tax form. For most of them, they simply aren't eligible. A full time unmarried student, under age 24, even if you don't qualify as a dependent, is only eligible for the refundable portion of the American Opportunity Credit if he supports himself by working. You cannot be supporting yourself on parental support, 529 plans or student loans & grants. You usually must have actually paid tuition, not had it paid by scholarships & grants. It is usually best if the parent claims that credit.
You cannot claim a credit if you are, or can be, claimed as a dependent by someone else (there's an exception, for a non-refundable credit, that doesn't appear to apply to you)
Despite the fact that you have been going to college, for more than fours years, you generally qualify for the American Opportunity Tax Credit, if you have not received enough credits to get a bachelor's degree. That is you have not completed 4 years of college.
