Is interest paid on an student loan the interest accrued or actual payments made to the student loan, and the amount of that payment that would be applied to interest?

First, you need to determine if it's a *qualified* student loan. Generally, you would receive a 1098-E if it was, showing the amount of interest paid in the tax year. If it's not a qualified loan, then you have nothing to claim.

If you can someone determine and prove it's a qualified loan (in case you're audited on it) then only the interest that was actually paid in the tax year is deductible as a SCH A itemized deduction.

The lender should have no problem providing you a breakdown of your payments that shows amount that was paid on the principle and the amount that was interest.  But how you're going to determine if it's a qualified loan without a 1098-E, I honestly have no idea.