Several tax breaks can ease the financial blow of college costs, whether you're saving to send your kids to college, paying tuition bills for a child or yourself, pursuing graduate work, or repaying college loans. And some new tax laws have changed the rules and expanded some breaks for education. The following six tips can help you take full advantage of these tax breaks.

The American Opportunity Tax Credit

Thinkstock

The American Opportunity Tax Credit is worth up to $2,500 per student for each of the first four years of college. The student must be enrolled at least half-time for one academic period during the