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Utah B&B opens at former polygamous compound site

By WTOP Staff

ANNIE KNOX
Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Continental breakfasts are now being served at a bed and breakfast that has opened on the site of a sprawling, mostly unoccupied compound in southern Utah that was built for the leader of a polygamous sect.

America’s Most Wanted Suites and Bed and Breakfast takes its name from Warren Jeff’s time on the list of the FBI’s 10 most wanted fugitives. Accommodations in the Hildale, Utah, bed-and- breakfast run from $85 to $200 a night.

Hildale and neighboring Colorado City, Arizona, are both home to members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Former Jeffs bodyguard Willie Jessop runs the bed-and-breakfast. He took ownership of the $3.6 million compound in 2013 in a successful lawsuit he brought against the church. Jessop says only one family is living full-time in the compound after a fire destroyed their home.

Jeffs is in a Texas prison serving a life sentence for sexually assaulting girls he considered brides. Members of his church, an offshoot of mainstream Mormonism, believe polygamy brings exaltation in heaven.

Even though its title refers to the imprisoned leader, the bed-and-breakfast aims to help the community move past its dark history, Jessop said.

“Jeffs has never seen it and he never will. It was never lived in, it doesn’t have any spooky history,” Jessop said.

Guests have been staying in the bed-and-breakfast rooms and one master suite for about a week, and managers are still working out issues, he said. Calls to an 800 number listed for reservations went unanswered Monday, and the business has not registered with the state’s chamber of commerce.

Guests can choose to stay for breakfast on site or head to the nearby Merry Wives Cafe, which is operated by church members.

The compound went up in 2010 and 2011 while Jeffs was awaiting trial. Residents have said it was designed for the leader, his wives and his family.

The bedroom intended for Jeffs won’t be rented out, Jessop said, and instead will temporarily house families of the sect who need a place to stay.

Soaring red rock borders Hildale, which is about a two-hour drive from Lake Powell and an equal stretch from the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

Jessop expects the inn to cater to curious travelers and former members of the sect who have left voluntarily or because they were exiled.

“This is just one more step to have life after Jeffs and have something positive come after something so sinister,” he said.

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Online: http://www.amwsuites.com/#!location/c1wln

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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