First decide: are you looking for a credit or a deduction?

Use this quick logic:

• If you paid tuition and related education expenses for college, graduate school, vocational school, or job-skill courses, check the AOTC or LLC.  
• If you paid interest on a qualified student loan, check the student loan interest deduction.  
• If you are self-employed or fall into certain special categories and your education is work-related, check the business deduction for work-related education.