I always thought that you raise skills levels by practicing the skills, but I only have two alteration spells and they're both set at level 25, but I'm only at level 15 so I can't use them to practice. I don't have enough gold to pay for training either. Do scrolls count?

Go to the Cheydinhal mages guild (its the alteration guild) and pick up 'Protect', cast that over and over and you'll have it up to 25 quickly nad be able to use better spells.

Also Open Very Easy Lock, from the same vendor, and use it instead of a lock pick.You can also buy both spells from Calindil in the IC Market District.

Wonderful! Thank you.