Skip to main content

Washington’s Top News – Wednesday, July 30, 2014

By WTOP Staff

Here’s a look at some of the day’s top stories from WTOP:

Israeli shells hit UN school in Gaza, kill 15

Several Israeli tank shells have slammed into a crowded U.N. school used as shelter for refugees in the Gaza war, killing at least 15 people and wounding 90.

A Palestinian health official and a U.N. official say the strike hit the U.N. school in the Jebaliya refugee camp where hundreds of Palestinians had sought shelter from the intense fighting and Israeli tank fire. The Israeli army had no immediate comment.

More than 100 unaccompanied-minor immigrants in Montgomery County schools

In a briefing before the Montgomery County Council, school officials explained that a total of 107 unaccompanied minors, most of them of high school age, were enrolled in Montgomery County schools.

Broken water main floods UCLA

Firefighters in Los Angeles have been searching cars in underground parking garages after a broken water main near the UCLA campus sent a geyser of water some 30 feet in the air.

People were trapped in underground parking and there’s at least an inch of water covering the floor of the famed Pauley Pavilion. The basketball arena had just undergone a $132 million renovation.

Weather kills 2,000 a year

A report from the CDC finds that weather kills at least 2,000 Americans each year, and while it’s easy to think of hurricanes and tornadoes as the main culprit, it turns out that the main cause of weather-related deaths may surprise you.

Nationals, Orioles developing a rivalry off the field

The Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles struck a deal regarding shared TV rights when the Nats moved to D.C. in 2005, but the first moment a dispute could have erupted, it did. WTOP’s Sports editor, Noah Frank, spoke with the reporter who broke the latest development in this beanball war and has the details on what could be a long, messy fight — including a multimillion-dollar payment to one of the teams from Major League Baseball that was supposed to soothe tempers but could end up causing more acrimony.

A new drink in town

Before you reach for yet another iced coffee to get you through a hot summer day, check out a cold coffee drink with a totally different kick. WTOP’s Living editor, Rachel Nania, heads to a D.C. shop that’s making a rare, unusual combination work out deliciously — and finds out how you can make it yourself.

Long-distance preparations

You’ve got your passport and visa; you’ve packed (probably way too many) clothes — but you’re not really ready to travel internationally until you’ve worked out how to handle your cellphone. On WTOP’s Tech page, find out what travel author Rick Steves advises regarding which services to turn off and which to keep when you’re heading far from home to avoid paying heavy fees and getting hacked.

Art and entertainment on your smartphone

Your phone can help you learn to play guitar, make paintings or even learn how to dance. Check out a gallery of apps — many of them free — and find out how they work on our Entertainment page.

ESPN suspends Smith for comments on abuse

ESPN has suspended outspoken sportscaster Stephen A. Smith for a week because of his comments about domestic abuse. Smith suggested women should make sure they don’t do anything to provoke an attack.

His comments came during a discussion on ESPN2’s “First Take” last Friday about the NFL’s two-game suspension of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice following charges he assaulted his now-wife. Smith issued an on-air apology Monday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter and WTOP on Facebook.

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
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote