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Local campers take the stage at D.C.’s 9:30 Club

By WTOP Staff

Tim Bracken, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – Girls are learning to play instruments and write songs in just five days at a camp organized by the nonprofit Girls Rock! DC.

But it took a lot to get the nonprofit off the ground.

The organization was formed in 2008 with the goal of empowering girls through music. Inspired by Rock n’ Roll Camp for Girls in Portland, Ore., Girls Rock! DC became a member of the Girls Rock Camp Alliance, which has over 20 affiliate groups across the country.

It’s not a typical music camp, according to co-founder Julie Yoder. The goal isn’t to learn concertos, but rather to spark creativity and develop campers’ confidence. The camp is open to girls ages 8 to 18 years old.

“It takes about 90 volunteers to put on camp,” Yoder says.

They need instructors, participant coordinators and even roadies to make sure that the instruments remain in playing condition.

The camp was started with little funding, and fundraising efforts are coordinated mostly by volunteers.

“We used to have to ask people to loan their instruments to get us through the week,” Yoder says.

Now, the camp has plenty of instruments and amplifiers thanks to donations from local residents and businesses. The Atomic Music store in Beltsville, Md., is a big supporter of the camp.

“Every year, they give us strings, they give us cables,” Yoder says. “I don’t think we could have built this instrument fleet without their generosity.”

Applications to the camp have steadily increased since 2008. When the girls apply, they indicate what instrument they’re interested in.

On the first day of camp, Yoder says the girls go through a rapid-fire interview process with their peers in search of prospective bandmates. They fill out questionnaires so that organizers can help form the bands.

By the end of the first day, each band is formed and ready to practice.

The rest of the week consists of regular periods of instrument instruction, workshops and band rehearsals. By the end of the week, each group has written an original song and performs as part of the venue showcase.

It’s presented just like a regular rock concert, complete with stage lights and a cheering audience. This year’s concert will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2012 at the 9:30 Club. Admission is $10.

“They all have stage jitters, but we’ve never had anybody refuse to go on stage, or say,

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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