Sam Paid the Following Expenses During October 2017 for His $$\begin{array} { l r r } \text { Tuition } & \$ & 18,000 \\\text { Housing } & & 8,000 \\\text { Meal plarn } & & 3,500\end{array}$$

Multiple Choice

Sam paid the following expenses during October 2017 for his son Aaron's spring 2018 college expenses: Spring 2018 semester begins in January 2018: $$\begin{array} { l r r } \text { Tuition } & \$ & 18,000 \\\text { Housing } & & 8,000 \\\text { Meal plarn } & & 3,500\end{array}$$ In addition,Aaron's uncle paid $500 for college fees on behalf of Aaron directly to the college.Aaron is claimed as Sam's dependent on his tax return.How much of the paid expenses qualify for purposes of the education credit deduction for Sam in 2017?

A) $0.
B) $20,000.
C) $18,000.
D) $18,500.