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UCLA RB Manfro out for season with torn ACL

By WTOP Staff

DAN GREENSPAN
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — UCLA running back Steven Manfro will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL, a school spokesman said Wednesday.

Manfro was taken off the practice field on a cart after injuring his knee Tuesday. The junior is part of the No. 11 Bruins’ three-man rotation at the position with Paul Perkins and Jordon James, and he was often featured as a receiver out of the backfield. UCLA spokesman Steve Rourke confirmed Manfro’s injury Wednesday.

Manfro caught 37 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns over the last two seasons and was also featured on special teams.

Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone said Manfro is “an awesome young man that was very valuable to this football team, but there will be somebody that steps up.”

When the Bruins host Memphis at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, freshman Nate Starks is likely to take Manfro’s spot in the offense, offering more size than Perkins and James at 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds.

“It will be fun to watch him play Saturday night. It will be fun to hand him the ball,” said Mazzone, before adding, “Note to self: hand him the ball.”

UCLA’s ground game struggled in a 28-20 win at Virginia last week. Perkins rushed for 80 yards on 16 carries, leading an offense that totaled 116 yards rushing and averaged just 3.0 yards per carry.

“It wasn’t good,” Mazzone said. “It was hit and miss, no rhythm to it. We’ve always been able to run the football. It hasn’t been an area of concern for us, so we’re not going to panic. We got to be a little bit better, and I got to do a better job.”

Getting starting center Jake Brendel back from a knee injury soon should help address issues on the offensive line, which allowed five sacks against the Cavaliers. Defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes said that group has been “a lot more physical this week.”

That should help the UCLA offense catch up to its defensive counterparts in touchdown production.

Quarterback Brett Hundley’s touchdown run accounted for the only points on that side of the ball versus Virginia, compared to two interceptions and one fumble return for touchdowns.

Mazzone couldn’t remember that happening previously to an offense he coached. He joked that the defense should enjoy it while it lasts.

“I told them I spotted them two, but it’s not going to happen anymore,” Mazzone said.

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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