@xmasbaby0 - the rules for AOC (and LLC) are different. Students are eligible for AOC (and LLC) even if they CAN be claimed by their parents and aren't.... however, the opportunity to get the credit is quite limited
for AOC, there is a refundable credit (up to $1000), but if you are under 24, filing single, and you earnings are less than half of your expenses and at least 1 parent is alive, you are not eligible. Then there is the non-refunable credit, which is up to $1500. But if the W-2 earnings are less than $12,550, there is no tax liability so there is no non-refunable credit to be had.
if the student is claimed by the parent, then the educational credits can only be had by the parents; the student is ineligible.
Otherwise, I totally agree with your post; and I see young adults make this error all the time.
