Complete Tax

The Hope Credit can only be taken for an eligible student who is enrolled in the freshman or sophomore years of college in a program leading to a degree. Further, the student must be taking at least one-half the normal full-time work load. Conviction of a drug-related felony disqualifies the student.

The Lifetime Learning Credit is useful for students who can't qualify for the Hope Credit. The Lifetime Learning Credit provides a smaller tax benefit for an unlimited number of years in which the student takes one or more post-secondary educational courses. These courses can apply towards an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree, certificate program, or other academic credential.