Reopening unemployment claim benefits even after denied first time?

Terminations for downsizing generally pay unemployment benefits. I suggest you find out why you were denied. You can challenge a denial and you might get traction. You may be eligible to draw unemployment while you go to school. You may also draw supplemental unemployment if you find a job that does not pay more than 1.25 times what your unemployment pays. At least that is how it works in Texas.