Freshmen and sophomores at Eastern could qualify for an extra tax credit this year, thanks to last summer’s devastating flooding.

All college students in their first two years qualify for the federal government’s Hope Scholarship tax credit, according to the government’s 2008 Internal Revenue guide.

The credit is worth up to $1,800 each year, depending on each student’s college costs.

But since Coles County, which includes Charleston, was declared a disaster area last summer, the amount each student can receive increases, said Gary Hawker, a certified public accountant.

“The Hope credit is effectively being doubled,” Hawker said.

He said the increased value of the tax credit is not automatic.

“The credit is part of the preparation of their tax return or their parents’ tax return if they’re a dependent,” Hawker said.

Hawker said disaster-area credit increases are based on the counties where students attend school, not the counties of their permanent addresses.

“Unfortunately, if a student from Coles County went to school somewhere else, they wouldn’t qualify . (for the increase),” Hawker said.

Joe Astrouski can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmastrouski@eiu.edu.