You are not a citizen until you are sworn in. If you are denied because of failure to pass the English or the civics test, you will be automatically rescheduled within 90 days. If you are not approved for some other reason, you may be given time to overcome the problem.
For 2009, the American Opportunity Credit--which is a variation of the Hope Credit--will be allowed for 4 years. For years before and after the new credit is allowed, the Hope credit is supposed to be for 2 years.
For each student in your family, you may claim only one of those three tax breaks each year, so you will have to choose among the three. American Opportunity Tax Credit. The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) was an expansion of the Hope credit passed as part of the 2009 stimulus package (the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). It was due to expire in 2013 but fortunately was rescued in legislative negotiations, and is now guaranteed through 2017.