Do I qualify for new tax credit?

Do I qualify for the "American Opportunity" tax credit? I am not in college..but beauty school.?

• I am doing my taxes on taxact.com and I am trying to figure out if I qualify for the "American Opportunity" tax credit. The description to qualify is this....Briefly, the qualifications for the American opportunity credit are as follows: 1. As of the beginning of 2009, the student had not completed the first four years of postsecondary education as determined by the eligible educational institution. For this purpose, do not include academic credit awarded solely because of performance on proficiency examinations. 2. The student was enrolled in 2009 in a program that leads to a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential. 3. The student was taking at least one-half the normal full-time workload for his or her course of study for at least one academic period beginning in 2009. 4. The student has not been convicted of a felony for possessing or distributing a controlled substance. 5. You cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone's 2009 tax return, such as your parent. However, if you can be claimed as a dependent, but are not claimed, you may claim the American opportunity credit. I have met almost all of the requirements but I am not sure if I meet requirement number one. I am not in college. I am in a beauty school (cosmetology school). "International Beauty School." Does this qualify me for this? I cannot be claimed on my parents taxes because I am 23 years old with a child and I claimed head of household, when I graduate International Beauty School I will be a liscenced cosmetologist, I have not been convicted of a felon and I was taking at least one-half the normal full-time work load. Do I qualify for this tax credit? Please Help. Any help, is greatly appreciated.

• Answer:

  Can you apply for financial aid through FAFSA for your school? If not, it's not a qualifying school so its students don't qualify for an education credit.