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Newcomers Ayers, Thurmond getting used to Giants

By WTOP Staff

JIM HAGUE
Associated Press

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Last February, Walter Thurmond and Robert Ayers finished their season as Super Bowl opponents.

Five months later, they are on the same defensive unit and will play their home games at MetLife Stadium, where Thurmond’s Seattle Seahawks trounced Ayers and the Denver Broncos 43-8 in the Super Bowl.

On Wednesday, cornerback Thurmond and defensive end Ayers continued to get acquainted with their new teammates as the Giants conducted their second day of a three-day minicamp.

“I’m getting more comfortable, but I’ve felt comfortable since Day One,” said Thurmond, the fifth-year player from Oregon. “There’s a great group of guys in this room and they’ve been very welcoming. It was an easy transition.”

Thurmond, who started three games for the Super Bowl champs and made 33 tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown, said the Giants defensive scheme is more intricate and precise than Seattle’s.

“I’m learning a little more stuff than we did in Seattle,” said Thurmond, who missed most of the 2011 and 2012 seasons due to injuries. “We were very simple.

“Here, we’re mixing coverages and having exotic defenses. I like it, because it gives me a lot more freedom.”

Ayers, who was born in nearby Jersey City before moving as a teenager to South Carolina, started three games for the Broncos last season. He made 29 tackles and had six sacks. The six-year veteran didn’t plan on returning home to New Jersey as a free agent.

“I didn’t have too many expectations,” said Ayers, who was issued uniform No. 91, the number worn by former Giants standout Justin Tuck. “It’s just where the ball landed. I had a good opportunity to come here and it was just a way of coming home.”

Ayers is also getting used to his new surroundings.

“It is home,” Ayers said. “I’m part of this team now and proud of it. I’m learning how to do things their way. I’m adjusting well. The guys on this team have accepted me well. I’m finding my way. It’s getting better every day.”

Ayers and Thurmond are two of 20 free agents the Giants signed, including cornerback Dominque Rogers-Cromartie, who was also a member of the Broncos.

“I know the Super Bowl left a sour taste in their mouths,” Thurmond said. “There has been a little bit of talking going on between us about it, but it’s just a little bit. They are great teammates and I look forward to playing with them.

“The more we’re out there, sharing our blood and our sweat, the bond gets deeper. We’re like a band of brothers.”

Thurmond knows he can make an impact with the Giants.

“I still have a lot to prove,” Thurmond said. “I want to be an elite cornerback in this league and I’m looking forward to that challenge.”

Ayers, a product of Tennessee, knows he will be a major player for the Giants.

“I will make an impact here,” Ayers said. “That’s what I expect. I feel like I can be an every down player, but in reality, no one plays every down anymore. But I know I’m going to play a lot.”

Giants coach Tom Coughlin also expects a lot from the two new acquisitions.

“Both, throughout the course of our work on the field, have stood out from time to time and both are solid players that will contribute,” Coughlin said.

NOTES: The Giants will conclude the minicamp on Thursday. … TE Larry Donnell became dehydrated in the 90-plus degree heat. He was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center and later released. … First-round draft pick Odell Beckham, who is nursing a hamstring injury, made it to the field for punt and kick return drills. He also caught a touchdown pass from backup QB Ryan Nassib. … RB David Wilson, still recovering from neck surgery that put his career in jeopardy, hasn’t been cleared for serious workouts. He did intense sprints across the field. WR Mario Manningham, who returned to the Giants as a free agent, is rehabbing following a second knee operation.

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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