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Brazilian court throws into question Rio 2016 golf

By WTOP Staff

STEPHEN WADE
AP Sports Writer

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — In a move to protect a nature reserve, a Brazilian court has proposed changes that throw into question the future of the golf course being built for the 2016 Olympics.

The course developer and the city of Rio de Janeiro, both defendants in a lawsuit brought by a public prosecutor, have until Sept. 17 to say if they will make changes to the layout proposed by the court and Rio Judge Eduardo Klausner.

If not, it’s unclear where golf will be played in the 2016 Olympics when it returns after a 112-year absence.

The course is being carved out of an environmentally protected area — some of the city’s last green space and most valuable real estate — and was approved by Rio’s city government in a legal move that’s being questioned.

The golf project has been in dispute since plans to build the course began almost five years ago.

Public prosecutor Marcus Leal, arguing before Judge Klausner on Wednesday, said questions of ownership and environmental problems surrounding the course were well known.

“This is not a surprise,” he said.

The court’s proposal, which allows construction to continue but no new ground to be broken, seems to have caught many flat-footed.

Some have questioned the need to build a new course for the Olympics. At least one other venue in the Rio area, the Itanhanga Golf Club, might have been suitable. It has hosted the European Tour, and a U.S. LPGA Tour event.

Some has suggested financial and real estate interests were behind the push to build the Olympic course.

Ty Votaw, vice president of golf world governing body the IGF, tried to find a bright light.

“Construction continuing is something we see as a positive,” he told The Associated Press on Thursday. He said sod and grass had been laid over the last few months and the course was being irrigated.

He said little else.

The city of Rio said it was “analyzing the proposal.” A request by AP for comment from the golf course architect Gil Hanse was not answered. Rio’s local organizing committee also declined to comment after a short statement on Wednesday.

Under the judge’s proposal, the golf course layout would need to move away from a lagoon on its south side and toward a multi-lane highway on the north. By shifting the course northward to make room for a 400-meter-wide green corridor, some of the course would have to be built on land zoned for the construction of high-end apartments selling for between $2.5-7 million.

A key developer in the project is Pasquale Mauro, one of the largest landowners in the Barra da Tijuca area of suburban Rio where many of the Olympic venues will be located.

“It is in society’s interests that the Olympics take place and it’s also in society’s interests that the environment be preserved,” the judge said. “What has to be observed is legality, and within legality is respect for the environment.”

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AP Golf Writer Doug Ferguson contributed to this report.

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Stephen Wade on Twitter: http://twitter.com/StephenWadeAP

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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