If you're considering going back to school, but you don't want to have to worry about increasing your debt, then learning how to get free money for college is an excellent place for you to start.

• Fill out the FAFSA before March 10th of every year to make sure that you qualify for state grants.

So many people avoid college because they don't think they will be able to afford it. The reality is that while the cost of attending college may be rising, so have the availability of methods of paying for it. So, gather a notepad and pencil as well as your financial papers and get ready to learn how to get free money for college so that at least one obstacle is out of the way!

The first thing anyone looking for any kind of funds for college needs to do is to gather their tax returns from last year and fill out the FAFSA (Federal Application for Student Aid) for the current year. This is the main document that every potential college student needs to fill out so that the college and government agencies can assess the financial need of the student.

Most colleges have their own scholarships. Be sure to check with your school's Financial Aid Office to find out what type of scholarships they offer. Many schools do not advertise their scholarships, but do post them near the Financial Aid Office. Some of these scholarships are based on need while others are based on residence and accomplishments or program majors.

Many companies have scholarships that they use as tax write offs. One suggestion is to go through the cabinets and look at the common brand names you see there. Contact the manufacturer to see if they offer a scholarship and if so, how to apply for one. Contact local businesses to see if they offer scholarships as well, including any clubs or groups you might belong to. This is especially effective if you are working on a program major in the field that the business works in. For instance, if you are learning how to be a life coach, you may want to check with businesses that deal with human relations.

Register on sites such as FastWeb.com. These sites search out scholarships and send you notifications when there are funds available that may meet your criteria.

There are a multitude of tax benefits for those attending college. Some tax benefits are available for those that have been in the military, are single parents or first generation college students. If there is any money to be spent out of pocket, then these tax breaks are a great way to recover at least part of those funds.

Those in the military or who have been in the military are faced with multiple ways to pay for college. The G.I. Bill is just one method that the military offers to some of the individuals that are members of the military. Other ways include tuition reimbursement.

Many employers also offer employee reimbursement for the employees they have that would like to further their career by advancing their education. Request information from your employer regarding this matter.