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Nicks’ 1st home game in Indy comes against Giants

By WTOP Staff

MICHAEL MAROT
AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Game days are starting to look awfully familiar for Hakeem Nicks.

His first appearance with the Colts came at MetLife Stadium, his former home venue. On Saturday, the 26-year-old receiver will make his home debut against his former team at Lucas Oil Stadium, the site where he and the Giants won their last Super Bowl.

Nicks has been around the NFL long enough to understand there are more important things than nostalgia when it comes to preseason football. He’s trying to prove he can stay healthy, still play and that he fits into the Colts’ offense. But there’s nothing quite like getting a chance to do that against the team that let him walk away in free agency.

“It will be an experience, but I’m looking forward to it,” Nicks said before Indianapolis headed home from training camp Wednesday.

Earlier this week, Nicks made a spectacular one-handed catch in the back corner of the end zone, a reminder of why the Giants took him in the first round of the 2009 draft. Over the next three seasons, he developed such a good rapport with Eli Manning that he topped 1,000 yards twice, hauled in 24 touchdowns and become a key part of New York’s Super Bowl run following the 2011 season.

Injuries cost him three games in 2012, slicing his yardage total and TD receptions in half. Last year, he battled injuries again and finished without a touchdown catch for the first time in his pro career, prompting speculation in New York that Nicks wasn’t trying or didn’t care.

Indianapolis didn’t buy it.

“Anytime people say things like that and try to discuss your character, I think it takes a toll on anyone,” Giants receiver Victor Cruz said. “I think it did for him and I think it’s something that he wants to prove wrong and show that he’s a team guy and show he gives his all on every play and show that he gives his all for his teammates. I think a fresh start for him in Indianapolis is going to be just that.”

The guys Nicks used to practice against — cornerback Prince Amukamara, defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka and safety Antrel Rolle — probably won’t have to contend with him for long Saturday.

Colts coach Chuck Pagano is planning to use his starters only about one quarter Saturday night. He hasn’t said whether Reggie Wayne will be held out of his second straight game as he continues to recover from a torn ACL in his right knee..

Giants coach Tom Coughlin is following a similar script, perhaps playing his starters about 1 1/2 quarters.

But this is not just another meaningless preseason trip for New York.

The game will extend a streak of having at least one Manning start in Lucas Oil every season since it opened in 2008. And it’s the first trip New York has made to Indy since its Super Bowl win.

“We’re excited to go back there and, obviously, to see Hakeem and to be in that locker room where we were,” Cruz said. “We’re excited for that opportunity and to see Hakeem again is an added bonus.”

Nicks won’t be the only Super Bowl-winning Giant on Indy’s sideline.

Colts running back Ahmad Bradshaw scored the winning touchdown for the Giants in that game, though it’s unclear whether he’ll play after wearing a non-contact jersey in practice all week. Bradshaw had season-ending neck surgery in October.

Indy fans will see some familiar faces in Giants’ uniforms, too.

Curtis Painter, whose lost fumble against the Jets in 2009 helped dash Indy’s hopes of a perfect season and whose struggles in 2011 as Peyton Manning’s replacement led to the transition to Andrew Luck, will be the second quarterback in the game for New York. Kiwanuka, safety Stevie Brown and punter Steve Weatherford all played high school in Indiana, too.

But for Nicks, this is not about reminiscing. It’s about competing.

“I felt like I got off to a great start and I want to have a stronger finish,” Nicks said. “I love the way the fans embraced us and everything was good.”

___

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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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