If you owe a school money can they take it from your tax return?

Yes

NO THEY CAN'T, SUPERTACO ~If your school debt has been sent to their collections department they can and sometimes will take your state refund. They don't usually take your federal though. A school can't take your return...but if as some here before, you are confused by the difference, and you have a loan (maybe arranged through the school), that is guranteed or insured under a federal program, then the IRS can and does send refunds to the lender.