Apply for federal help with tuition. You must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA. This application details your current financial position and helps schools and the government determine how much financial aid you should receive. This aid can be both grants and loans. The Pell Grant is a federal grant awarded based on need.
Talk to your school's financial aid counselor. She will be able to tell you which, if any, in-school financial aid programs that you qualify for.
Ask your employer if they provide tuition reimbursement. Many companies offer tuition-reimbursement programs, which can help you to pay for college. Assuming that the courses you are talking will help you advance in your current career, your company may pay up to 100 percent of the tuition if you get good grades.
Look for state grant money. Some states offer grant money to students that are entering specific fields, such as teaching. You can look for these opportunities through Students.gov (see Resources)
Take out loans. While it's best to use money that you don't have to repay, student loans are an option for those who want to go back to school. Look for ones--such as Stafford loans--that you don't have to repay until you finish your schooling.
Live frugally. Reduce your expenses through cooking at home, living with a roommate or eliminating unnecessary expenses. The extra money that you save can help you to pay for your education.