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Other than RGIII, 5 to watch at Redskins training camp

By WTOP Staff

Eric J. Russell, special to WTOP

WASHINGTON – Many Washington fans are excited to see what the 2012 edition of the Redskins will bring to the table. And while first-round draft pick Robert Griffin III is sure to be in the spotlight as training camp opens Thursday, here are five other players to watch.

Leonard Hankerson

The Redskins’ third-round pick in the 2011 draft was sidelined for most of his rookie campaign with a torn labrum. However, the wideout did some impressive things in his limited playing time. Hankerson put up big numbers during the game in which he suffered his injury, hauling in eight receptions for 106 yards against the Miami Dolphins.

The Redskins brought in free agents Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan in the offseason. But the 6-foot-2 Hankerson is one of the tallest receivers on the roster, giving Griffin a big, speedy target. Head coach Mike Shanahan has said Hankerson will play a big part in the team’s offensive strategy, and it will be interesting to see if the receiver can have a breakout year coming off of hip surgery.

Brian Orakpo

Orakpo declared himself to be 100 percent for training camp recently, after undergoing shoulder surgery at the end of last season. The fourth-year linebacker has been the key to the Redskins’ pass rush, leading the team in sacks in each of the last three seasons (he and Andre Carter each had 11 in 2009) and posting nine last year.

The Redskins’ schedule includes five of the top 10 passing offenses in the NFL last season. In addition, the team will go against young quarterback threats like Andy Dalton and Cam Newton. The team’s pass rush will be vital to their defensive success this season.

Brandon Meriweather, Madieu Williams, Tanard Jackson

The aforementioned schedule poses another issue for the Redskins, who lack a solid secondary. Laron Landry is no longer with the team and the talent pool is a little dry at the safety position, where these three likely will see a majority of the playing time.

Meriweather, who played with Chicago last season, posted 32 tackles, two pass deflections and no interceptions. Jackson had 35 tackles, two interceptions and three pass deflections for the Buccaneers last season before being cut by the team in the offseason due to a failed physical. Williams saw action in 15 games for the 49ers, starting three of them and recording nine tackles with no pass deflections or interceptions.

The Redskins were ranked 12th in the league in pass defense last season, allowing 222 yards per game.

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(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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