It's Back to the Books for the Unemployed

-- Follow the rules. Each school or state is different, and they all have requirements that you must meet before your tuition is waived. Some, like New Jersey, require you to register with county career centers. Most also require proof that you were laid off -- a letter from your former employer will likely do -- and in most cases, you need to live in the county where the community college you plan to attend is located. A quick call to the school's admissions department will net you all the information you need.

-- Act fast. These free tuition programs, as you might imagine, are in pretty high demand. Classes are limited in size, and many schools give preference to paying students, so being on the ball is crucial. In an economic downturn, community colleges are more popular than ever, says Hartle. "Most expect a surge this fall, as the result of several factors. Some young people conclude that the job market isn't their friend and they need to get an education. And a lot of people who lose their jobs decide they will be more salable if they get more education, so they either start a post-secondary education program or pick up where they left off."

-- Pick the right programs. "Think of where you are, where you want to go, and what academic courses can get you there. Most institutions will be all too happy to talk to students about what they offer," says Hartle. You don't have time to waste right now, so really put some thought into this and pick classes or a degree program that will give you the biggest boost in this job market. G. Jeremiah Ryan, the president of Bergen Community College in New Jersey, says most schools, including his, offer one-year certificate programs that are popular with laid-off workers. Examples are curriculums in paralegal studies, healthcare (always one of the fastest growing fields) and web design. If you don't know what specific direction you'd like to explore, take a look at the Department of Labor's employment projects. They list the 30 industries with the largest employment growth (from 2006-2016). Topping that list are registered nurses, retail salespersons, customer service representatives, office clerks, home health aides and post-secondary teachers.