Hi Atlanta Tax expert,

I have been in the US on an F1b since 1998, I changed status from f1 to h1b in July 2005. Given that my 5 years as a nonresident on f1 ended in 2003, I am filing 1040.

I have paid tuition, and also interest on student loans in 2005. The interest was paid to a bank in India. Can I claim this on 1040?

Thank you.

You can claim the Education Credit because you are a residnet alien.

You CANNOT claim the student loan deduction because it must be paid to a U.S.-based banking institution.