There are a growing number of scholarships intended for laid off employees and the unemployed to return to college and vocational schools. The logic is that while you are busy learning, you aren’t worried about rejoining the workforce. For every person removed to attend college, it takes off short-term pressure on the supply side of the job market. This could allow the market to hit equilibruim faster (assuming recovery occurs quickly, before everyone graduates).

The State of Michigan has a program that entitles unemployed workers to one or two years of tuition depending upon the circumstances and availability. This scholarship program is also available for underemployed workers as well. For more information, visit the No Worker Left Behind program website.

UPDATE: I found some more information about Illinois layoff scholarships, New Jersey unemployed worker free tuition (for classes with empty seats), and Pennsylvania colleges with free credits. Check out the article at US News and World Report.