The American Opportunity tax credit has $1000 refundable, even without income/owing tax. I didn't make enough to have taxable income. Turbotax said that disqualifies me

How old are you? Are you eligible to be claimed as a dependent on someone else's return?  If so, then you are not eligible for the refundable portion of the American Opportunity Tax Credit.  You would only be eligible for the nonrefundable portion which means you would only be able to take the credit if you have a tax liability. 

"If you were under age 24 at the end of 2023 and the conditions listed below apply to you, you cannot claim any part of the American opportunity credit as a refundable credit on your tax return. Instead, you can claim your allowed credit, figured in Part II, only as a nonrefundable credit to reduce your tax.

You don't qualify for a refundable American opportunity credit if 1 (a, b, or c), 2, and 3 below apply to you.

1. You were:

a. Under age 18 at the end of 2023, or

b. Age 18 at the end of 2023 and your earned income (defined later) was less than one-half of your support (defined later), or

c. Over age 18 and under age 24 at the end of 2023 and a full-time student (defined later) and your earned income (defined later) was less than one-half of your support (defined later).

2.At least one of your parents was alive at the end of 2023.

3.You're not filing a joint return for 2023."  Instructions for form 8863

If you are unable to claim the credit and your parents claim you, they may be able to claim the credit even if they did not pay your tuition. 

Tax Benefits for Education