Question If I pay college tuition and fees with a tax-free scholarship, can I claim an education credit on Form 8863 for those payments? Answer No, you can't claim a credit for higher education expenses paid for by a tax-free scholarship. Additional Information Education Benefits -- No Double Benefits Allowed Form 8863, Education Credits (American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning Credits) (PDF) Am I eligible to claim an education credit? Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education Category Childcare Credit, Other Credits Sub-Category Education Credits