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I have a question regarding education credit. If my children received student loans and scholarships, can I claim tax credit for education costs?

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You can’t claim education credit for any education expense you or your dependent didn’t pay for. Student loans are considered paid by the person who’s legally liable for the loan — usually the student.

However, you can claim the education credit for expenses paid by your dependent students for these:

  • American Opportunity Credit
  • Lifetime Learning Credit

Since tax-free scholarships don’t have to be repaid, amounts paid for by scholarships aren’t considered paid by you or the student; therefore tax credit for education cannot be claimed.

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