American opportunity credit for past years

[alexoverseas]

If a student is on a parent’s 2024 tax return, she or he cannot claim “American opportunity credit” filing a tax return for 2024. However, a student can claim up to 4 years of this credit on one return in one of the following years. If parents don't claim this credit in 2024 and don't add a student as a dependent on their tax return in 2025, can a student claim “American opportunity credit” for both 2024 and 2025 years on the 2025 tax return?

[Bsch4477]

No. The credit is claimed in the year that the expenses are incurred. 

[Hal_Al]

"However, a student can claim up to 4 years of this credit on one return in one of the following years."

That's not correct. The credit can only be claimed for current year expenses actually paid in the current year. There is an exception, but it doesn't apply to what you want to do.