Q. Can I also put those amounts in the "Books and materials required to be purchased from the school"?
A. No, if they are already included in box 1 of the 1098-T. That would be entering that amount twice.
Q. Just trying to figure out why the AOTC isn't giving me credit for paying tuition.
A. Are you the student or the parent? The AOTC law was written "for parents". How much is in boxes 1 and 5 of the 1098-T? You generally can't claim tuition covered by tax free scholarship (there is a loop hole available).
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. It is usually best if the parent claims that credit.
You cannot claim the (up to) $1000 refundable credit if you are, or can be, claimed as a dependent by someone else.
Reference: Line 7 instructions for form 8863.
https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i8863#en_US_2024_publink53002gd0e674
