Q. I spent 4-5 years getting an associates degree and a transfer certificate at my last institution as a mix of a full-time and part-time student. Does this count as 4 years of college credits in relation to education tax credits?
A. Probably not. The simplified version of the rule is: if you have not received a bachelors degree, you have not completed 4 years of post secondary education and are still eligible for the American Opportunity Credit (AOC).
If the school you are transferring credits to will grant you a bachelors degree based on those transfer credits, then, yes, you have completed 4 years of post secondary education.
But the question may be academic. If you (and/or your parents) have already claimed the AOC 4 times in those " 4-5 years", then you are no longer eligible. There is a 4 time limit for claiming the AOC. There is no limit on the lesser credit, The Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC).
