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Alaska Native land-claims leader dies

By WTOP Staff

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — Don Wright, an Alaska Native leader who was a force behind a landmark tribal lands compensation law, has died at age 84.

Wright died July 5, according to a release by the family that was distributed by Doyon Ltd., the Fairbanks-based regional Native corporation. Wright died in Kenai, Doyon spokeswoman Lessa Peter said.

Wright was head of the Alaska Federation of Natives in 1971 when then-President Richard Nixon signed the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act into law, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported (http://is.gd/pLJ7Vo).

The law compensated Alaska Natives for loss of historic lands. It led to establishment of regional and village Native corporations with the right to select 44 million acres of land and appropriated $962.5 million to them. Doyon is one of 13 regional Native corporations created under the law.

In the statement provided to Doyon, Wright’s granddaughter, Jennifer Romer, said he was a champion for Alaska.

“His commanding personality helped create connections with various valued dignitaries and political advocates which produced positive changes for Alaska Native peoples,” Romer wrote. “Don’s legacy in this matter is priceless to his family and will indubitably affect many future generations of Alaskans.”

Donald Rose Wright was born Nov. 24, 1929, in Nenana, where his funeral is scheduled to take place July 26. He was the fourth of seven sons born to Arthur and Myrtle Rose-Wright. His father was an Athabascan who was born at the confluence of the Tanana and Yukon rivers. His mother was born in Wyoming, later working as an Episcopal missionary nurse in Alaska.

Wright was a man of many talents, including work in construction, flight, community organization and steamboats, according to his family. His ability to connect with people from all walks of life led him to politics, the family said.

Wright unsuccessfully ran for governor numerous times under various party affiliations. Years ago, he said he would continue to seek office until he won or died.

Wright enjoyed subsistence fishing and hunting and loved to cook, his family said.

“He was an impeccable host; welcoming family, friends and strangers — who soon became friends — into his hand-built Alaskan log cabin on the Chena River; and all were in awe of its size and craftsmanship,” Romer wrote.

___

Information from: Fairbanks (Alaska) Daily News-Miner, http://www.newsminer.com

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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