You say "when our sons go to do their own taxes and report the 1098T AND the 1099Q under themselves".
That infers that they may be trying to file as independents, not as dependents. It is highly unlikely that college age full time students can file as independents. See explanation at @KrisD15 reply.
With the tax law change, effective 2018, most students will get the same refund whether they claim themselves or not. The personal exemption has been eliminated and the standard deduction increased. However, they only qualify for an education credit or deduction, if they are not a dependent, and maybe not even then.
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
