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West Nile virus pops up across region

By WTOP Staff

Hank Silverberg, wtop.com

FAIRFAX, Va. – It’s here again – West Nile virus has turned up in at least two people in Virginia and two people in Maryland, and many places in the region are reporting mosquitoes have the virus as well.

The mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus breed in standing water. Places like old tires, bird baths, upside-down trash can lids – anything that contains water – can be a breeding ground.

Jorge Arias from the Fairfax County Health Department says any time people go outside, especially near dawn or dusk, they should cover up and use mosquito repellent.

Arias says 80 percent of those who have the virus don’t know it.

“Twenty percent have West Nile fever,” says Arias. “About 10 percent of that 20 percent will have West Nile virus encephalitis and this can be very very life-threatening.”

Arias, who is in his 70s, should know. A year ago, he began feeling some of the symptoms that include fever, fatigue, headaches, swollen lymph nodes and a rash. People over 50 are more susceptible to the fever.

In August of 2011, years after Arias began warning people across the region about West Nile virus, he became one of the 26 West Nile cases that have cropped up in Fairfax County since 2002.

Arias’ wife took him to the doctor for a West Nile test. He landed in the hospital on Aug. 25, when he began having seizures.

“I was in a coma for a week,” says Arias. “I was in the hospital for two months. It took me four months to learn how to walk again.”

The Centers for Disease Control says there have been more cases of West Nile virus reported so far this year than in any year since the disease was first detected in the United States in 1999.

Arias, who is back on the job with the Fairfax County Health Department and again warning people about the dangers of West Nile virus, says he’s about 30 percent recovered now with lots of help from family and friends.

Getting West Nile virus in Fairfax County is about a one-in-a-million chance, says Arias. He thinks he was exposed one morning while walking his dogs at 4:30.

He says if symptoms arise, get checked out and insist on a test. He says many doctors in the region aren’t tuned in to the disease.

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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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