A bipartisan group of lawmakers have reintroduced legislation that allows individuals with felony drug convictions the right to claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC). Under current law, students with such drug convictions are permanently barred from claiming the AOTC for higher education. The Eliminating Discrimination and Creating Corridors to Expand Student Success (ED ACCESS) Act, originally introduced in 2019, would repeal the lifetime ban. For eligible taxpayers, the AOTC is worth up to $2,500 per year, with up to $1,000 being refundable. This means lower-income taxpayers can receive a benefit even if they have no federal income tax liability.