What does "first four years of post-secondary education" mean?

Is my husband eligible for education tax credits or deductions?

• I've been trying to figure our taxes with TurboTax, and I've come across some ambiguous phrasing in regards to education. My husband is a senior in his undergraduate degree program, but he's actually been in college for 5 years. However, he has been on the same degree track--it's just been taking him longer because he's not a full-time student. I've noticed that the wording for the American Opportunity Credit says that students who are in the "first 4 years of postsecondary" education are eligible for this credit. Do they mean "years" as in status, (sophomore, senior, etc.) or does it mean literal years. If they do mean literal years and my husband wouldn't qualify, would we still be able to get the tuition and fees deduction? This is so confusing!!

• Answer:

  It means actual years, so no he doesn't qualify. He might qualify for the Lifetime Learning credit though.