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Griffey Jr., Parker, Oester added to Reds HOF

By WTOP Staff

JOE KAY
AP Baseball Writer

CINCINNATI (AP) — Ken Griffey Jr. hugged other members of the Cincinnati Reds’ Hall of Fame. One hug meant more than the others. He embraced his father, who was wearing a red jacket signifying that he’s already honored in the hall.

Junior will have one of his own after this weekend.

Griffey, Dave Parker and Ron Oester — all of whom grew up playing baseball in Cincinnati — were honored on the field Saturday before a game against the Miami Marlins. The late Jake Beckley, who played in the 1800s, also is part of the team’s 2014 Hall of Fame class. They’ll be formally inducted Sunday.

Last August, Junior went into Seattle’s Hall of Fame, giving an emotional and unscripted speech that went nearly 25 minutes. He’s expected to be a first-ballot entrant into baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 2016, his first year of eligibility.

He played with Ken Griffey Sr. in Seattle and was touched to join him in the Reds’ hall.

“The ultimate goal as an individual player is to be in the Hall of Fame when you grow up,” Junior said. “This is no different. To be in the Hall of Fame with my dad is special.”

Junior’s homecoming in 2000 through a trade with Seattle left Reds fans dreaming of a run of playoff appearances and championships. They never reached the playoffs during his nine seasons in Cincinnati (2000-08). He was was sidelined by various injuries much of the time.

That’s his only regret.

“The one thing is just not being able to win a championship,” he said. “I think everybody dreams about winning it. It just wasn’t meant to be.”

During his brief address to the crowd before the game, Junior choked up when he recalled that he got to wear his father’s uniform number in Cincinnati. His dad was part of the Big Red Machine that won World Series titles in 1975 and 1976.

“I wouldn’t change anything I’ve done,” Junior said. “I got a chance to wear the uniform that my dad wore and I think that’s the most important thing.”

Parker got the nickname “Cobra” with the Pirates. He was one of Cincinnati’s first major free agent signings, playing in his hometown from 1984-87.

“This is the greatest honor bestowed on me thus far,” Parker said.

Oester spent his entire 13-year career with the Reds. As a youth, he hung out at Gate B at Riverfront Stadium — the Reds’ old ballpark — trying for autographs.

“I can’t describe how I feel,” Oester said. “I need to be pinched. I never dreamed about being in the Hall of Fame. I know I’m not dreaming.”

___

Follow Joe Kay on Twitter: http://twitter.com/apjoekay

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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