Eligible for HOPE Tax Credit?

My wife is back in school after being out for close to 10 years. By the schools standards she is a junior but has never claimed the HOPE Tax Credit. Is she eligible or does she need to use the Lifetime Education Credit?

The thing that throws me off is that when reading about eligibility it says %26quot;generally freshman and sophomore%26quot; That gives the impression that you can use it for two years regardless of what level the school considers you.

Thanks for the input

Eligible for HOPE Tax Credit?

No, I think it has to be the first two years of education after high school. It is irrelevant whether she has ever claimed the credit or not. If she is considered a junior, I doubt that the Hope Credit applies.

Eligible for HOPE Tax Credit?

It is available for only the first two year of post secondary education. You are correct in thinking to use the Lifetime Education Credit.