<prompt> Human: Not sure if this the right sub, but here goes.I am an 18 year old, first year student. I am attending a 4 year university, and all loans I have taken out have been in my name, with no cosign. All expenses are being handled exclusively by myself. However, my parents, at this point in time, still intend on claiming me as a dependent. My question is this, should I still be eligible for student related tax credits, even though I will be claimed as a dependent, due to the fact that all expenses are handled by me with no help from my parents. I still will live in their household in the summertime, however I will also be paying all car payments and student loans by myself at this time. Should they even be claiming me as a dependent? I honestly dont think its right, since Im getting very little financial help from them at all, if any. They dont pay for my food, my housing, my tuition, books, car, nothing.  <response>: I honestly dont think its rightIts not about right or fair, its about the rules.The tax benefits for education generally follow the exemption. First, run your 2016 facts and figures through the Interactive Tax Assistant for Can I Claim My Personal Exemption? at IRS.gov. If you are eligible to claim your personal exemption, run your information through the guide for Am I Eligible to Claim an Education Credit?Publication 17, Chapter 3 covers the exemption question, including the chart for Tests To Be a Qualifying Child. 