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Experts seek to reassure Americans about Ebola risk

By WTOP Staff

ATLANTA (AP) — The Ebola virus has killed more than 700 people in Africa and health officials say it could have catastrophic consequences if allowed to spread. So why would anyone allow infected Americans to come to Atlanta?

The answer, experts say, is because Emory University Hospital, with its super-secure isolation unit, is one of the safest places in the world to treat someone with Ebola.

Dr. Bruce Ribner, who will be treating two infected Americans there, insists that “nothing comes out of this unit until it is non-infectious.”

He also says medical workers risking their lives overseas deserve the best treatment they can get.

Dr. Kent Brantly, who arrived from Africa yesterday, was the first person infected with Ebola to be brought to the United States. Fellow aid worker Nancy Writebol is expected to arrive in several days.

The director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Tom Frieden (FREE’-den), says his agency received “nasty emails” and at least 100 calls from people questioning why the sick aid workers should be let into the country.

He says he understands people’s concerns, but he hopes that “fear of the unfamiliar does not trump our compassion” for ailing fellow Americans.

%@AP Links

146-a-10-(Dr. Jay Varkey, infectious disease specialist, Emory Healthcare, at news conference outside Emory University Hospital)-“through the air”-Infectious disease specialist Dr. Jay Varkey of Emory Healthcare says it’s important for the public to realize that there’s no risk of getting sick from breathing the same air as an Ebola patient. (2 Aug 2014)

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144-a-13-(Dr. Jay Varkey, infectious disease specialist, Emory Healthcare, at news conference outside Emory University Hospital)-“for 12 years”-Infectious disease specialist Dr. Jay Varkey of Emory Healthcare says the medical team is well prepared to care for Ebola patient Dr. Kent Brantly. (2 Aug 2014)

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095-a-06-(Dr. Thomas Frieden, director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in interview)-“doing so well”-CDC Director Thoma Frieden says he cannot predict whether Dr. Kenty Brantly will totally recover from Ebola. COURTESY: Fox News Sunday ((mandatory on-air credit)) (3 Aug 2014)

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097-a-12-(Dr. Thomas Frieden, director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in interview)-“is done meticulously”-CDC Director Thomas Frieden says old fashioned medical practices will help halt the spread of Ebola in West Africa. COURTESY: Fox News Sunday ((mandatory on-air credit)) (3 Aug 2014)

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APPHOTO GAMS104: An ambulance arrives with Ebola victim Dr. Kent Brantly, right, to Emory University Hospital, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014, in Atlanta. Brantly, infected with the Ebola virus in Africa arrived in Atlanta for treatment Saturday, landing in a specially equipped plane at a military base, then being whisked away to one of the most sophisticated hospital isolation units in the country, officials say. (AP Photo/WSB-TV Atlanta) METRO ATLANTA TV OUT (2 Aug 2014)

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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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