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BLOG: Day 7 Redskins Training Camp wrap-up

By WTOP Staff

George Wallace, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – Day seven of Redskins Training Camp is in the books and we’re getting closer and closer to a real football game. That comes up next Thursday night in Buffalo.

We know that Robert Griffin III will be the starting quarterback, but the question is, how long will Mike Shanahan play his starters and Griffin next week? “I’m using that first team anywhere from 12 to 20 plays,” says Shanahan.

He went on to say that he expects the starters to play a half in the second game and play into the third quarter in the third game of the preseason while resting them the fourth game.

Other notes from Thursdays practice:

  • Anthony Armstrong hit his AC joint and will have an X-ray.
  • Safety DeJon Gomes has a sore shoulder and will be out two-three days.
  • Safety Tanard Jackson practiced for the first time as a member of the Redskins since being activated from the PUP list.
  • Mike Shanahan still has not heard from Defensive End Kentwan Balmer, who was missing for a second straight day.

“Haven’t found anything out yet. If you get a hold of him, let me know,” Shanahan said of Balmer. “You’re always concerned. You’re just hoping he’s OK. He cleared everything out of the hotel, and that usually means, at least from my past experience, is that the guy doesn’t want to play football anymore.”

Mike Shanahan had officials at practice on Thursday. They were replacement officials because of the ongoing labor dispute with the regular officials.

“The NFL supervisor talked to our football team this afternoon and the officials were there, the officials you saw on the field today. The officials are not going to talk to our football team but they will be here for the next three days in practice – I should say through Saturday’s practice – and get a chance to help us out there.”

It’s hard to believe that camp is seven days old, but on the other hand it’s hard to believe that a real football game is still a week away. How do you think the players feel?

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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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