Skip to main content

UT hires ex-QB Young for community relations

By WTOP Staff

JIM VERTUNO
AP Sports Writer

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The University of Texas has hired former Longhorns quarterback Vince Young for community relations and fundraising, a $100,000-a-year job created specifically for him that wasn’t posted to attract other applicants.

Young led Texas to the 2005 national championship before turning pro. He hasn’t played in an NFL regular-season NFL game since 2011.

Young earned his bachelor’s degree in applied learning and development from Texas in 2013. Starting Sept. 1, he’ll be a development officer for program alumni relations within the university’s Division of Diversity and Community Excellence, which works with first-generation college students and others from low-income backgrounds.

In a statement released by the school, Young called the job “a great way to stay connected to the university and help make a difference in the lives of underserved kids across the state.”

Young was hired through a direct-appointment basis, which requires approval by the school’s human resources department but not a job posting.

Gregory Vincent, vice president for diversity engagement, called such hires “rare” and said the chance to get Young was a “unique opportunity.”

“He is one of the iconic figures in UT history, but what we are really impressed with is his connection with communities and young people that we serve,” Vincent said.

Young has a history of volunteering with school engagement programs, including the Neighborhood Longhorns academic incentive program geared toward children in 2nd through 8th grades, since his days in college, Vincent said.

“We feel like he’ll be a great ambassador and fundraiser for that program,” Vincent said.

Young didn’t have to fill out an application or submit a resume. He was interviewed by Vincent and another department official.

“We knew firsthand the work he’d done with us,” Vincent said.

Vincent called Young’s $100,000 salary fair and “far from the top of the range in what development officers make.”

The department is funded through several mechanisms, including as grants and endowments, Vincent said. Young’s salary will not be paid from tuition revenue or money meant for teaching, Vincent said.

After his college football career, Young was drafted in the first round by the Tennessee Titans and was with the team for five seasons. He started three games for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011. He spent part of two preseasons with Buffalo and Green Bay. Young was signed May 1 by Cleveland, but released after the Browns drafted former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel from Texas A&M.

Young filed for bankruptcy protection in January, but the case was quickly dismissed after he reached a settlement in a pair of lawsuits that let him to pay his principal creditor.

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
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