With the national unemployment still sitting around 8.5 percent, it isn’t unusual to hear that many laid off Americans are considering a return to college to enhance their skills and even learn completely new areas of interest, hoping to use that education to find a new position.

As millions of Americans continue their search for work, those who have the finances for courses at their local colleges, universities, community colleges and even online sites, are giving a harder look at such possibilities.

While many individuals are challenged to come up with the needed funding to go back to school or attend college for the very first time, others are tapping into state and federal tuition assistance for displaced workers.

What Are My Options?

The $787 billion stimulus bill authored into law two years ago by President Obama offers $1.7 billion for adult employment services, which includes training. In a number of instances, individuals can continue to obtain unemployment benefits and school financial aid provided they stay enrolled in class.

For their part, schools are doing more to offer courses that adults will be drawn to in their quest to add new skills. Oftentimes, schools will team up with businesses in their local community to determine which trades would be most needed for workers searching to stay in their communities and work.

A number of schools have gone on to create courses that give older students the ability to update skill levels in areas such as math, reading and computers. With computers a necessity in countless jobs these days, it only makes sense that older laid off workers who did not have much interaction with technology study up on it and use it in 2011.

Education Choices for New Students

Oftentimes, unemployed workers are seeking degrees and certificates that can be earned in the less than standard four-year timetable. The quicker a former employee has a degree in hand in a specialty field, the sooner they can start seeking a position.

With that being the case, is now the time to go to school and reform your career options?

For people interested in going back to school or heading to campus for the first time, among the things to keep in mind are:

• Why am I attending in the first place? Am I going to put in the needed time and effort required for studies etc. or is this going to be more than I can deal with over time? If so, I should rethink my strategy;
• Do I have the necessary funds for school right now? Even with my unemployment and tuition aid, can I do this financially? Are there other options like seeking free courses either online or at a school;
• What fields should I consider studying in? While some job fields have taken a hard hit during the last few years, fields like health, technology, insurance, auto repair etc. continue to produce a fair amount of job possibilities. The bottom line on the fore-mentioned fields is that consumers still require services in such areas. If you’re seeking to switch fields from the one you were let go in, be sure it is one that is relatively healthy and one you would be interested in being employed in for at least a number of years.

At the end of the day, there are education options out there for those who have been laid off, both for two and four-year degrees and certificates.

The toughest part oftentimes comes with dealing with the layoff to begin with, then deciding what is next.

If you find yourself in this scenario, take the time to educate yourself on all the possibilities that are out there waiting for you.

Dave Thomas, who covers among other items obtaining phone systems, writes extensively for Business.com, an online resource destination for businesses of all sizes to research, find, and compare the products and services they need to run their businesses.