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Chile adds more believers after ousting Spain

By WTOP Staff

STEPHEN WADE
AP Sports Writer

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Chile started the World Cup as rank outsiders. But by eliminating defending World Cup champion Spain with a 2-0 win on Wednesday and reaching the last 16 — with a game to spare — it suddenly has more believers.

By making the knockout stage this squad has matched what Chile achieved four years ago under Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa. And most think this version is better than the last one.

“I don’t know if it’s the best victory,” Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli said. “But it’s a victory I’ll never forget and how we did it, neutralizing a team with so much ability as Spain.”

Eduardo Vargas scored into an unguarded net in the 20th minute, and Charles Aranguiz made it 2-0 in the 43rd. The rest was hard work, grit and teamwork. It followed a 3-1 win over Australia in the opening game, set up by two early goals.

A disciple of Bielsa and also an Argentine, Sampaoli may top his mentor’s success.

Chile went out four years ago against Brazil in the first knock-out game. This time Brazil could be waiting again in the second round — or perhaps Mexico or Croatia. That depends on Chile’s last Group B match against the Netherlands, which has also reached the last 16.

Chile faces the Netherlands Monday in their last group game, with the winner topping the group. The second-place team will meet the winner of Group A in the next stage.

“The way this team is playing with the team concept, putting aside the individual and playing like this, we will be a tough opponent for anybody,” Sampaoli said.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque concurred.

“I’m not just saying this to be kind,” Del Bosque said. Chile “is a well-put-together team that works hard and will be very difficult for anyone.”

Some Chile fans already believe.

Chile placed third in the World Cup in 1962, and had strong teams led in 70s and 80s by legendary defender Elias Figueroa — widely considered the country’s greatest player.

“This team has the potential to be our best ever,” said Chile fan Felipe Mardones, wearing a t-shirt that spelled out “Chile ’62” on the front. “We have had some good teams, but this could be top them all. Let’s see.”

Bielsa was beloved in Chile after the last World Cup, and some suggested he run for president. Instead, he walked away in 2011 in a dispute with the Chilean football officials.

Claudio Borghi — another Argentine — took over, but was fired late in 2012 with Chile struggling in South American qualifying. In stepped Sampaoli, who convinced talented players like Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona) and Arturo Vidal (Juventus) and Eduardo Vargas (Valencia) they needed to hone teamwork and discipline.

“This team is maturing, and you noticed it today,” Sampaoli said. “They believe in themselves, and that makes it a dangerous group. Playing toe-to-toe with Spain was not easy.”

___

Stephen Wade on Twitter: http://twitter.com/StephenWadeAP

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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