UN says Bolivia coca acreage down to 12-year low

By WTOP Staff
June 23, 2014 | 8:10 PM

CARLOS VALDEZ
Associated Press

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — The area under coca cultivation in Bolivia in 2013 dropped to its lowest in 12 years, decreasing 9 percent from 2012, the United Nations reported Monday.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Bolivia is producing less cocaine. The U.N. Office of Drugs and Crime does not measure potential cocaine production in Bolivia, the No. 3 coca producer, or in Peru, which the U.S. government says has been the world’s top cocaine producer since 2011.

The United Nations said Bolivia’s coca crop was down to 29 square miles (23,000 hectares) last year. That is 11.5 square miles (3,000 hectares) more than Bolivia’s government says is needed to meet demand for the traditional uses of coca leaf. It is a mild stimulant used in religious rituals and is chewed and taken in tea to fight off fatigue and altitude sickness.

Last week, the U.N. said Peru’s coca crop was down 17.5 percent last year — to 192 square miles (49,800 hectares).

Both countries practice manual eradication. Bolivia has powerful coca-growers unions, of which President Evo Morales is a leader, that help decide which crops are destroyed and which are legal.

Experts say less-productive fields tend to be destroyed, while cocaine-processing becomes more efficient.

Coca cultivation figures for Colombia are to be announced Thursday. The U.N. says Colombia had 185 square miles (48,000 hectares) in 2012.

The U.N., meanwhile, says Bolivian authorities seized 20.4 metric tons of cocaine last year, down 37 percent from 2012. It placed the value of Bolivia’s coca crop at $283 million last year, nearly 1 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

Bolivia, in addition to being a cocaine producer, is also a major transit country for Peruvian cocaine destined for Brazil, Argentina and Europe.

The U.S. government cut off all remaining counterdrug aid to Bolivia last year, deeming inadequate Morales’ counter-narcotics cooperation.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.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
July 14, 2026 | 6:30 PM

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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