there's also the College Tuition Expenses deduction. your school should send you a 1098-T saying how much you can deduct.
but you can't deduct it if you make more than $80,000 as your modified adjusted gross income (includes wages, interest, dividends, stock proceeds).
this completely fucks you over the year you graduate college:
work during first half of year for moderate wage (while at school).
paid school tuition for first half of year.
graduate mid-year.
sell stock/bonds/Tbills/CDs to help buy car or down payment on apartment/house
work for second half of year for real wage (right after graduation).
and then if this totals more than $80k.......oh no! you can't claim your college tuition as a deduction.
basically you should go be a lazyass and tour europe for a couple months and not make any money so you can still deduct those expenses.
ICEPOINTA please tell me how happy you are that this system fucks over college graduates on their year of graduation for getting a decent job and creeping above the magical $80,000 mark. who the fuck made that number up? make it $150,000. make it $200,000. make it $3,000,000. if you're an undergrad in college, no matter how much money you legally make that calendar year (and report to the IRS to get taxed on), why can't you claim your college expenses (as reported by the school itself on the 1098-T)? there's no reason for that. none.