How long have you been unemployed and will your last employer (a law firm?) give you a positive reference even though you were downsized?
Do you have any insight as to why you haven’t found a job? Are your office skills current and sharp (word, Powerpoint, excel) and is your legal experience relevant (legal research, citations, Westlaw?) Are you networking like crazy and telling everyone you meet you are looking for a job?
Seems to me your best option is to find a job with a company that will help you pay for college. Even if you only have the energy and time to take one class at a time- you won’t be in debt, and you’ll be generating income while you’re in college.
What types of positions are you applying for?