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BLOG: Fighting to lead the Redskins’ running game

By WTOP Staff

George Wallace, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – Believe it or not, there will be Redskins storylines not centered around Robert Griffin III.

I know, it doesn’t seem like it, but trust me — there will be.

How about the guys playing behind RGIII? If the Redskins can’t get their running game going, then it could be a long year for the rookie quarterback. The team finished 25th last season in rushing.

Tim Hightower went down with a torn ACL in Week 7 against Carolina. That paved the way for rookies Roy Helu and Evan Royster, who stepped in and each had multiple 100-yard games down the stretch.

Hightower re-signed with the Redskins and is in camp preparing himself to once again be the top back. He is still recovering from knee surgery and not yet at full speed. He has stated since day one of practice that if he isn’t 110 percent, then he won’t be out there.

So how does the knee feel after three days?

“I’m just getting better each day. I didn’t digress at all, I don’t think there’s any area of concern. There’s no setbacks, I’m still on track and I’ll still be out there game one,” Hightower says.

The tough part for him has been having to watch rather than play.

“That’s something I’m learning daily, especially when you have a whole offseason to think about this and to let that passion build,” Hightower says. “Then you get here and you’re still watching even more. It’s a tough process, but it’s one I know is going to pay off in the end.”

I find it hard to believe that if he’s healthy, Hightower won’t be the No. 1 back when the team takes the field in New Orleans.

The key is how the coaches will bring him along this preseason and make sure that there are no setbacks. Does that mean limited playing time during the preseason?

One thing is for sure: Hightower wants to play next week in Buffalo.

“I always want to play. Any time I get an opportunity to play football, I want to play,” he says. “I look at it as Buffalo and a chance for me to get better. It’s a job interview for me — something to put on my resume and ultimately help me build that chemistry that this team needs.”

And he knows, as all players do, the importance of the training.

“We need this preseason. We need every single practice and every single game and they need me out there. If I’m able to go then I’ll be out there, if I’m not, I won’t,” he says.

Head coach Mike Shanahan has made it clear that he doesn’t know right now who will be the tailback. He knows he has three guys he has confidence in and now it’s a matter of Hightower recovering to a point where he can reclaim the starting spot, or one of the two second-year guys (Helu and Royster) separating themselves from the pack and proving they can carry the load.

Follow George Wallace and WTOP Sports on Twitter.

(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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