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RB Steven Jackson returns to Falcons’ practice

By WTOP Staff

CHARLES ODUM
AP Sports Writer

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Steven Jackson practiced on Monday for the first time in almost a month, and Falcons coach Mike Smith said the running back is on schedule to be play in Atlanta’s season opener against New Orleans.

Jackson had not practiced since July 28, when he hurt his right hamstring. There was added concern because the running back missed four games with a left hamstring injury last season. Because it was the preseason, the Falcons took a cautious approach to Jackson’s recovery.

Jackson, who also had not been available for interviews since the injury, said Monday he always knew this hamstring injury was less serious.

“I knew this injury was nothing like last year,” Jackson said. “But at the same time, you have to listen to your body. I wanted to make sure I did that. In the NFL season, you don’t get time. This time I had time to make sure I was right.”

Jacquizz Rodgers has started at running back in Atlanta’s first three preseason games. Antone Smith and rookie Devonta Freeman have been the top backups.

Smith would not say if Jackson will play in the Falcons’ final preseason game at Jacksonville on Thursday night. Some established starters are not expected to play.

“In terms of what we’re going to do with playing time, there will be some guys that will and there will be some guys that won’t,” Smith said.

“We’ve got some guys that we need to get some work and we’ve got some guys that we definitely know what they’re capable of doing. The ones that we know what they’re capable of doing will probably not get a lot of work.”

Jackson was hurt on the Falcons’ first practice in full pads. The Falcons did not wear pads in Monday’s workout.

Jackson, 31, said he doesn’t need much time to prepare for the season.

“It’s not that tough,” Jackson said. “I’m an old veteran guy. I know the tricks of the trade, what to do to get in shape.”

The Falcons may choose to avoid exposing Jackson to hits in a game before the regular season.

Asked if he wanted at least a few snaps in a preseason game, Jackson said, “I love the game of football, so whenever there’s a football on the field and two teams opposing, you’re ready to play.

“At the same time, those hits in the preseason hurt just like the ones in the regular season. Whatever way coach decides to go, I’ll be prepared for it, but just because it’s the preseason doesn’t mean the hits are any softer.”

The Falcons finished last in the NFL in rushing last season. Jackson, the NFL’s active career leading rusher, set career lows with 543 yards rushing and 3.5 yards per carry.

The Falcons have given Rodgers the chance this preseason to show he can be more than a change-of-pace back. He had eight carries for 33 yards and five catches for 31 yards in Saturday night’s 24-27 preseason loss to the Titans. Rodgers (5-6, 196) was stopped on a fourth-and-1 run.

The Falcons hope the powerful Jackson (6-2, 240) is healthy for those short-yardage situations in the regular season.

Jackson said he pressed to force his return last season and took a more relaxed approach with this injury.

“Last year I was stressed to make sure I was out there on the field,” he said. “I felt I had something to prove. And this year I said, you know what, I’m going to take it with a grain of salt. I’m going to make sure I’m 100-percent healthy when I come back, so that the Atlanta fan base gets to see exactly what they expect.”

___

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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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