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Emily Shetty: Why You Should Vote For Me

By WTOP Staff

Emily ShettyWe asked local candidates in contested primary elections to write a sub-750 word essay describing why residents should vote for them on June 24.

Next up, we continue in District 18, where Emily Shetty is running for one of three House of Delegates seats in the Democratic primary. Below is Shetty’s unedited response:

My name is Emily Shetty and I am running for one of three seats representing D18 in the Maryland House of Delegates. I am running to be a responsive and effective voice for our community in Annapolis.

Over the past six months I have spoken with thousands of residents in our community, and often heard the same challenges raised — our kids are being educated in overcrowded, underfunded schools (or in some cases, schools with boarded up windows); we’re not doing enough to manage traffic; and concern over the failed implementation of the Affordable Care Act in Maryland.

Though Montgomery County as a whole is fortunate to have excellent schools, children of low-income and vulnerable families are falling behind. I propose a three part plan: provide universal, high-quality pre-school for all kids; equip schools with wrap-around support services; and move from an earmark system of school construction funding to a fair formula that provides Montgomery County with the resources that we need. This is a top priority for me.

Montgomery County’s population is growing exponentially as families continue to choose to move here for our vibrant community. Because the most congested arteries in D18 are state roads, state and county transportation policies must work together to prioritize moving people safely, whether walking, biking, driving or taking mass transit. Our community needs top-notch transit that is reliable and safe for our families. Our representatives are instead fighting needed improvements that will drastically reduce traffic and improve transit. In Annapolis, I will bring state and local leaders together so that we can meet our community’s needs.

As the D18 only candidate with extensive health policy and oversight experience, I will fight to ensure patients are protected as we continue to implement the Affordable Care Act in Maryland. We need leaders who understand the complexities of the healthcare system, and are able to work with all stakeholders to put patients above politics.

As an advocate for cancer patients before Congress and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, I am proud of my successful track record of bringing a voice for patients to the legislative and regulatory process. Over the last few years, I have written and passed several pieces of federal legislation that have resulted in innovative, new therapies reaching patients years sooner. On behalf of seniors in Medicare, I fought proposed changes to the program that would have significantly limited access to necessary, life-saving therapies. We won that fight because we put patients before politics.  I envision a Maryland where we are the national and international gold standard for medical care. We can’t do that if we preserve the status quo.

These issues are deeply personal to me. I was born in Northern Virginia to immigrant parents, and was raised by my single mother. When my father left, I watched my mom work three jobs, several at minimum wage, while returning to school to get her nursing degree. We were enrolled in the food stamp program, and one summer warmed water in the sunshine because we could not afford to fix our broken water heater. Through years of hard work and studying, I attended Duke University where I received my Bachelors in Mathematics and a Certificate in Markets and Management; and later obtained my law degree from Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law.  I have dedicated my life and career to public service. As a Maryland-licensed attorney, I worked on Capitol Hill for several years for a progressive Member of Congress, and now advocate for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society before Congress.

As a long-time community activist, I have a true passion for community and public service. I started serving my community at the age of 9, and currently serve on the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, the D18 Caucus board, and am an immediate-past board member of the Montgomery County Young Democrats. I actively recruit, train and engage volunteers throughout the county to ensure that not only are we cultivating the best Democrats locally, but we are empowering them to support the local, state and federal legislatures as we tackle the challenging issues facing our community.

On Election Day, you have an important choice. As your Delegate I will always put your needs above politics. Though I am honored to have earned the endorsement of the Washington Post, and other wonderful organizations, the most important endorsement in this race is yours. I hope to earn your vote. To learn more about me, please visit www.emilyshetty.com

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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