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Visiting 9/11 sites: Memorial, museum, tours

By WTOP Staff

BETH J. HARPAZ
AP Travel Editor

NEW YORK (AP) — Out-of-towners and locals alike have shown enormous interest in sites connected to the Sept. 11th attacks. More than 700,000 people from all 50 states and 131 countries have been to the National Sept. 11 Museum since it opened May 21. More have come from New York than any other state, but the museum also hosts so many international tourists that you can’t even identify all the languages being spoken.

In addition, nearly 15 million people have visited the Sept. 11 Memorial since it opened three years ago on the footprints of the twin towers. That’s 1 million more a year than visit the Statue of Liberty.

And yet the very idea of 9/11 tourism remains controversial to some. Some New Yorkers are still so traumatized they’ve avoided the area. Others think 9/11 tourism is unseemly, however respectful the intent. Indeed, the memorial plaza could now be mistaken for a leafy urban park, with visitors taking smiling selfies or leaning on bronze parapets that bear the names of the dead. And yet, one could argue that recreating a sense of normalcy downtown is part of the 9/11 story, too.

“There’s this tension between a nice park where you can come out and have your lunch, but you might be sitting next to a family member paying respects to a loved one,” said Brenda Berkman, a retired fire lieutenant who was there on Sept. 11, 2001, and worked on the recovery effort. Berkman now leads guided tours from the 9/11 Tribute Center.

For those who do want to visit, pay respects or learn more about the events of 13 years ago, here are some options.

9/11 MEMORIAL

The memorial’s waterfalls and twin reflecting pools are set deep in the twin towers’ footprints. The pools are surrounded by panels inscribed with the names of the nearly 3,000 people who perished in the attacks, including those who died at the site, on the planes and at the Pentagon. Also listed are six who died in the 1993 Trade Center bombing.

Hundreds of oak trees line the plaza, but be sure to find a tall, callery pear tree called the Survivor Tree, grown from an 8-foot stump found in the rubble of the fallen towers.

The memorial is free and open daily, 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; http://www.911memorial.org/visit-911-memorial . Visitor passes and security checks are no longer required.

9/11 MEMORIAL MUSEUM

The museum tells the definitive story of the World Trade Center, from construction to destruction to rebirth. Artifacts large and small include tower beams, the Survivors’ Stairs used by hundreds to escape, a wrecked firetruck and shoes worn by a photojournalist who was injured that day. You’ll hear phone messages left by people trapped in the towers, and if you dare peek behind an exhibit labeled “disturbing,” you’ll see photos of those who jumped. Numerous videos and photos show Lower Manhattan before the attacks, as the planes hit, while the towers burned, and after they fell as enormous debris clouds covered downtown.

Tissue boxes around the galleries testify to the museum’s visceral, emotional impact. But some of the simplest exhibits are among the most memorable. Blue squares represent an artist’s effort to remember the sky color that day. And a massive wall bears this quote from Virgil: “NO DAY SHALL ERASE YOU FROM THE MEMORY OF TIME.”

The museum is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m., with the last entry at 7 p.m. through Sept. 21 (after Sept. 21, 7 p.m. closing). Get timed tickets online in advance to avoid long waits. Admission, $24; http://911memorial.org.

9/11 TRIBUTE CENTER AND TOURS

In contrast to the large, formal exhibits of the Memorial Museum, the 9/11 Tribute Center is a small, intimate, low-key place. The walls are covered with victims’ photos and missing posters; handmade paper cranes — a symbol of peace — hang over a stairwell. It’s like looking through someone’s scrapbook and sharing memories.

The Tribute Center also offers terrific guided tours of the memorial led by individuals with a connection to Sept. 11th — first responders, survivors, those who lost loved ones. The tours offer personal memories and insights as well as an informed appreciation of the memorial’s design and symbolism. “We try and bring you to that day based on what we witnessed,” Berkman said.

The Tribute Center at 120 Liberty St. is open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with walking tours at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Center admission, $15; tours, $10; combined admission plus tour, $20; http://tributewtc.org .

ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER

The observatory at One World Trade Center won’t open until next year. But the gleaming skyscraper itself, with its trademark spire and graceful angles, can be seen from all over the city.

APPS

Two free, official apps can help you explore the memorial and museum in person or virtually: the 9/11 Memorial Guide and 9/11 Memorial Audio Guide.

GETTING THERE

Access the 9/11 Museum via Liberty and Greenwich streets, or Fulton and West streets. Nearby subways include the Chambers and Fulton Street stations, which are served by many lines. The E train has a World Trade Center stop.

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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