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Boilermakers looking for fresh start in 2014

By WTOP Staff

MICHAEL MAROT
AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Darrell Hazell is tired of reliving the past.

After months of poring through game tapes to figure out what went wrong in 2013, the second-year Purdue coach came to this conclusion: It’s time for everyone to forget about the last season and focus on the future.

“I think this is the time where you rip off the rearview mirror and you take a look at what’s in front of you and all the things that we need to do to be successful,” Hazell said.

There are reasons for optimism.

Incumbent quarterback Danny Etling and hotshot freshman David Blough could be the next big things at a school known for churning out good quarterbacks. Play-making running back Akeem Hunt will be operating behind a bigger, perhaps stronger offensive line. And the defense, under coordinator Greg Hudson, could take a big step forward, too.

Still, the reminders of last season’s dismal 1-11 record are hard to ignore.

When Western Michigan visits Ross-Ade Stadium for the Aug. 30 season opener, Purdue will be trying to snap a 12-game losing streak against FBS schools — a streak that predates Hazell’s debut.

And although the Boilermakers landed in the weaker of the Big Ten’s two divisions, they still must contend with a schedule that includes Nebraska and Wisconsin, defending league champion Michigan State and a date with Notre Dame in Indianapolis.

Hazell is convinced another year in the system and a recruiting class that focused heavily on plugging holes will make this a different kind of year, one that might help everyone look ahead.

“Each year takes on its own little role,” he said. “We’ve got to make sure we separate ourselves from last year’s role and move forward.”

Here are five more things to watch in 2014:

O-FFENSIVE: A year ago, the Boilermakers averaged 14.9 points per game — not nearly enough in a football world where the trend is scoring points by the dozens.

COMPETITION: The most interesting competition in August comes at the most important position, quarterback. Etling made big strides last season after beating out Rob Henry for the job and finished his freshman year with a career best 485 yards and four TDs in a loss to archrival Indiana. Hazell recently said Blough and sophomore Austin Appleby have closed the gap. A starter won’t be named until after next weekend.

PATIENCE: Injuries and sub-par play along the offensive line destroyed any chance Hazell’s offense had last year, and it showed. Purdue was last in the Big Ten in scoring offense, total offense, rushing offense and time of possession. Hazell responded by adding a couple of junior college transfers who could help immediately, and some big freshmen who could become the cornerstone for the future.

DE-FENCE: Purdue allowed more points than any Big Ten school except Indiana, finished last in sacks and lost three veteran leaders along the defensive line. So why will they be better in 2014? Depth and experience. Fifteen of the 23 players on last year’s two-deep chart return, including ball-hawking cornerback Frankie Williams and senior linebacker Sean Robinson.

YEAR 2: It took Hazell two years to turn perennial Mid-American Conference also-ran Kent State into a title contender. He’ll probably need more time to turn around the Boilers. Yes, they are young, and, yes, Hazell is starting to mold this program into his own image. But fans should see progress this year.

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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