Can I claim study abroad expenses for my dependent?

[jennifo]

My daughter participated in a study abroad program through school. Can I, her father claiming her as a dependent, claim the school expenses from the program?

[bwa · Accepted solution]

Travel costs are not eligible for the education credit.  If she is studying at an eligible university, her tuition and costs would still be eligible.

An eligible educational institution is any college, university, vocational school, or other postsecondary educational institution eligible to participate in a student aid program administered by the U.S. Department of Education. It includes virtually all accredited public, nonprofit, and proprietary (privately owned profit-making) postsecondary institutions. The educational institution should be able to tell you if it is an eligible educational institution.

You can do an on-line search for eligible institutions here:  https://fafsa.ed.gov/FAFSA/app/schoolSearch?locale=en_EN

Only some educational institutions located outside the United States also participate in the U.S. Department of Education's Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs. (Note when searching that the drop down menu for "state" includes areas such as Canada and "Foreign Countries."  Only the Government would list Canada and other foreign countries as states!)

Education credits are under the deduction and credits tab in the area called "Education."

[BC444]

If my daughter attends a university abroad for all four years for her degree am I still able to claim her as a dependent on my return during these years?  The school is on the DOE list at the FAFSA site.  Or does she have to live in the US for a certain period of time each year in order to qualify?

[bwa]

If she is away from home temporarily for education (either in the US or abroad) she is considered living with you.

[BC444]

Thank you....four years is a pretty long "temporary", but I like the definition!