@sujenk7422 – I apologize for jumping to conclusions that you are a young-adult student because your question referenced an educational tax credit. I will admit that this assumption was reinforced by your frustration with a delay in the bureaucratic process, since expecting such a fast turnaround on a tax refund is a relatively new concept (which was why I commented about how tedious the process used to be and how there was no telling when the check would come in the not-so-distant past). I did figure that if you’re paying that much for tax preparation, you must have a complex situation; but I didn’t extrapolate that you might be an older adult student – and I commend you for going back (I keep dragging my feet about going back for my doctorate).
Any financial experts I’ve read or heard advice from have recommended not to overpay on taxes, so I stand by that comment. Yes, I said that many young people go through bankruptcy from debts they’ve accumulated in college, but that’s a statement of fact; I didn’t over-generalize and say “most”, nor did I suggest that there is anything “bad” or “stupid” (or any similar negative judgmental terms) about winding up in debt or bankruptcy (having been through it myself as a single mother). I was just advising caution based on personal experience, and observations of family, friends and others, and it was based on the false assumption that you were a young person. I did not intend to offend, and I again apologize for the misunderstanding.