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In Poland, Obama sees a guidepost for Ukraine

By WTOP Staff

JULIE PACE
AP White House Correspondent

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A quarter century after Poland embraced democracy, President Barack Obama held up this nation Wednesday as a guidepost for neighboring Ukraine as it seeks to fend off an insurgency widely believed to be backed by Russia that has rekindled Cold War-era tensions across Europe.

Obama also offered high-profile gestures of American support for Ukraine, holding talks for the first time with the former Soviet republic’s new president-elect and announcing long-sought assistance for the Ukrainian military, including body armor and night vision goggles. Later, in Brussels, Obama attended a meeting of the Group of Seven major industrial nations, with the pointed exclusion of Russia from the gathering.

“The people of Ukraine are reaching out for the same freedom and opportunities and progress that we celebrate here today — and they deserve them, too,” Obama declared in a rousing address to 6,000 people gathered in an outdoor square in the heart of Warsaw.

The celebration marking the 25th anniversary of Poland’s first partially free election was the centerpiece of Obama’s two-day visit to Warsaw.

Shortly after his remarks, Obama traveled to Brussels where G-7 leaders were expected to issue stern warnings to Russia but hold off on imposing further economic sanctions. Upon his arrival in Belgium, Obama also met briefly with King Philippe and Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo.

Obama will close his trip in France on Friday, marking the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion during World War II. At the ceremony, Obama probably will have his first face-to-face interaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin since the crisis in Ukraine unfolded earlier this year.

Putin’s annexation of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine as well as other threatening moves have rattled Poland and its neighbors, many of which have historic ties to Russia, but also deepening relationships with the West.

Seeking to offer assurances to those nervous nations, Obama vowed to come to the defense of Poland and other NATO allies, declaring that an attack on one member country would be an attack on them all. He also reaffirmed his commitment to seeking congressional support for up to $1 billion for a “European Reassurance Initiative” that would boost the American military presence on the continent.

“After investing so much blood and treasure to bring Europe together, we refuse to allow the dark tactics of the 20th century to define the 21st,” he said.

Earlier Wednesday, Obama met for the first time with Petro Poroshenko, the billionaire candy maker who handily won Ukraine’s presidential election last month. The talks were an attempt to bolster the legitimacy of Ukraine’s new government, which Russia is yet to recognize.

Poroshenko will be inaugurated on Saturday with Vice President Joe Biden and other Western dignitaries on hand. Sitting side-by-side with Obama, Poroshenko thanked the U.S. for its support for “the Ukrainian people, for freedom, for democracy.”

While Ukraine’s successful elections were an important milestone, Poroshenko faces enormous challenges stabilizing his country’s economy, ensuring a steady flow of energy supplies and tamping down violence stirred up by pro-Russian separatists who have occupied eastern cities.

Obama’s critics contend he has failed to provide the Ukrainian military with the assistance it needs to push back against those insurgents. Up until now, U.S. assistance has been largely limited to clothes, food and radios.

The new $5 million assistance package is relatively modest and is unlikely to significantly change the trajectory of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. White House officials said Poroshenko pressed Obama for even more military help, though they said the Ukrainian leader stopped short of asking for lethal aid.

White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said the president was “very open” to discussions on more ways to bolster Ukraine’s military but continues to be focused on non-lethal assistance.

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Follow Julie Pace at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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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