When the going gets tough, many adults go back to school. With unemployment rising and industries shrinking, workers are finding that they need to boost their skills, retool their careers and, in some cases, start over -- and that means heading back to the classroom.

These days, adults have more educational options than ever. College admissions officers tell me that in the last 12 to 18 months, they have seen an explosion in the number of applicants over age 35. At the same time, retraining programs for adults, which help those who are unemployed learn new skills needed to return to work, are cropping up at community colleges, community centers and even on the Internet.

Problem: The need for more education hits when many people, especially those who have lost their jobs, have the most trouble bearing the cost of tuition.

Here’s how to pay for the training you need...

Go for the free Money

Scholarships aren’t just for teens -- they defray adults’ tuition bills, too. For most scholarships, there are no age limitations. That means you’re eligible for much of the same free money that high school seniors are hunting for! There also are both need- and merit-based scholarships specifically for adults. To find money...

Search the Internet. Free Web sites to search for scholarships include FastWeb.com and SuperCollege.com, the site my wife and I founded. Once you find a scholarship for which you might be eligible, contact the sponsoring organization for details on how to apply and deadlines.

Many colleges and universities also offer scholarships specifically for adults who are returning to school. A visit to the college or university’s Web site will provide a list of the available scholarships.

Check out professional organizations. Adults have the advantage when it comes to applying for scholarships and grants through professional and trade associations. Unlike teens going off to college who have no idea what they are going to do, adult students usually know exactly why they’re going back to school and can easily show the commitment that these groups look for.

Start with the local trade and professional associations in your area to see if they offer scholarships.

Example: Members of the Kentucky Farm Bureau, an organization of farm families, are eligible for a variety of grants. The San Diego Foundation offers several scholarships for adults.

Also look into national organizations.

Example: The American Association of University Women Educational Foundation offers a grant of $2,000 to $12,000 to college-educated women who want to advance or change their careers or reenter the workforce.

Fill out the FAFSA

The only way you can determine if you qualify for need-based aid from the institution that you’ll be attending and/or for federal loans is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which schools use to determine a student’s financial need. For more information, visit www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Almost everyone qualifies for some kind of federal loan, so it’s worth doing the paperwork.

New: Federal guidelines are now making it easier to repay federal student loans.

Important: Federal student loans usually carry lower interest rates than those from private lenders, such as banks. And because they are guaranteed by the federal government, your credit rating won’t be taken into consideration -- a potential plus in these troubled times.

Note that this year’s FAFSA contains a new question about whether the student is a "dislocated worker" (someone who has been laid off, for example), which may help you qualify for more aid.

Money from your state

Your state may provide grants for state-sponsored retraining classes and other skill-building programs. States that have been hardest hit by the recession tend to have the most active and generous programs.

Example: In Michigan’s displaced workers program, participants are given up to $5,000 annually to cover tuition and other costs.

Best sources: Go to www.careeronestop.org. Sponsored by the US Department of Labor, it has links to all of the state retraining programs and new information for workers looking for "reemployment." Also, to help unemployed adults who are returning to college, the Obama administration has created a new Web site, www.opportunity.gov, which includes information about paying for college.

Money from your Employer

Tuition assistance from your employer is a huge benefit for workers who qualify. Often the employee must show how the educational program will improve his/her job performance.

Examples: McDonald’s and Starbucks offer generous tuition assistance to both part- and full-time employees.

When you have question or need help contact me at scott@professionalproblemsolver.com