College fund tapped out? You're not alone, but maybe you haven't looked everywhere.

1. Tax-free money for computers

New this year, parents and students may take money out of a 529 college savings fund to buy computer equipment tax-free. This includes Internet access, educational software, printers and computers used by students enrolled in an eligible educational institution. Visit the IRS for more info,www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=213034,00.html.

2. College gift registry

Online college savings registries allow family and friends to e-mail financial donations in lieu of birthday, holiday and graduation gifts to a savings plan chosen by the parents. It's like a wedding registry, but for classes, not cutlery. Freshmanfund.com and Ugift (https://uii.s.upromise.com) are among the choices.

3. Tax credit

The federal government's stimulus package provides a $2,500 tax credit for anyone going to college this year, or parents paying their son or daughter's college tuition. The tax credit will be a line on the 2009 tax return. If parents have more than one child in college and those children are claimed on the family's tax return, they can get the $2,500 credit for each child. Just file your 2009 taxes to get the hook-up.

4. ``Go back'' scholarships

Seventy four universities across the country offer at least 10 Bernard Osher Reentry scholarships to people between the ages of 25 and 50 who want to finish their undergraduate degrees. Info: www.osherfoundation.org/index.php?reentry.

5. Money for hot majors

Low-income upperclassmen who get good grades and major in computer science or other tough, in-demand subjects could qualify for a SMART grant of up to $4,000 a year. Learn more: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/SmartGrants.jsp.

6. Unemployed?

The U.S. Department of Education has asked colleges to help parents who have lost their jobs or suffered a pay cut in 2009 by estimating a family's need for aid based on this year's lower income instead of the previous year's income. Aid officers are also taking into account expenses that aren't reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, such as medical bills. Several community colleges are offering discounted or free tuition to laid-off workers. It's worth a call to your school's financial aid office to ask about extra aid.

7. Reducing loans

Adults worried about taking on big student loans can find some relief in the new Income-Based Repayment (IBR) option that will cap their monthly payments on their federal loans below 15 percent of their income. Those who work in public service and make 10 years of payments could get anything that's left of their federal loans forgiven. Info: www.IBRinfo.org.

8. Credit cards that pay

Several credit cards now kick back money from purchases to 539 college savings plans. Fidelity has an American Express card that rebates 2 percent of all purchases (www.babymint.com). Futuretrust (www.futuretrust.com) and Freshman Fund (www.freshmanfund.com) are two others.

9. Book swaps

Sell or trade expensive books. Check out www.campusbookswap.org or www.bookswap.com.

10. Food stamps

No joke. Students may be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program if they work at least 20 hours per week, take care of a child younger than 12 or participate in a state or federal work study program, among other eligibilty requirements. Apply online at www.myflorida.com/accessflorida.

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