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Hamas spokesman denies group is proposing cease-fire

By WTOP Staff

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — A spokesman for Hamas is rejecting the claim by a senior PLO official who said he was speaking in the name of Hamas when he proposed a 24-hour humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza.

The cease-fire offer was made by the Palestine Liberation Organization, of which Hamas is not a member. But the PLO’s secretary-general said the offer came after consultations with Hamas and Islamic Jihad, a smaller militant group in Gaza.

A Hamas spokesman in Gaza says the remarks “are not true and have nothing to do with the positions of the factions at the moment.” But it’s not clear if the spokesman reflected the views of the Hamas leadership in exile.

In Gaza, a health official says at least 100 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes and tank shelling today, as Israel escalates its military campaign. There have been several instances in which the daily Gaza death toll in more than three weeks of fighting has surpassed 100.

Israel has lost 53 soldiers, along with two civilians and a Thai national.

A spokesman for Gaza’s electricity distribution company says Gaza’s power plant was forced to shut down today after two tank shells hit one of three fuel tanks. He says the damage will take months to repair.

%@AP Links

134-a-08-(Jeremy Greenstock, former British ambassador to U.N., in interview)-“continuation of settlements”-Jeremy Greenstock, a former British U.N. ambassador, says Palestinians in Gaza believe they have little choice but to support Hamas. COURTESY: Sky News ((mandatory on-air credit)) (29 Jul 2014)

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126-a-17-(Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner, spokesman, Israel Defense Forces, in AP interview)-“sever those capabilities”-Israel Defense Forces spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner says the I.D.F. purposefully hit the home of the top Hamas leader in Gaza, as well as government offices and the headquarters of the Hamas satellite TV station. (29 Jul 2014)

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APPHOTO XAH111: Smoke and flames rise from a burning fuel tank of Gaza’s power plant after it was hit by Israeli strikes in the Nusseirat Refugee Camp, central Gaza Strip,Tuesday, July 29, 2014. Israel escalated its military campaign against Hamas on Tuesday, striking symbols of the group’s control in Gaza and firing tank shells that shut down the strip’s only power plant in the heaviest bombardment in the fighting so far. The plant’s shutdown was bound to lead to further serious disruptions of the flow of electricity and water to Gaza’s 1.7 million people. (AP Photo/Adel Hana) (29 Jul 2014)

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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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