10 Things to Know for Today

By WTOP Staff
September 17, 2014 | 6:40 AM

The Associated Press

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:

1. WHAT U.S. LAWMAKERS ARE READY TO OK

The House is set to approve Obama’s plan to order training and arms for moderate Syrian rebels in a bid to combat the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.

2. OBAMA CALLS EBOLA GLOBAL SECURITY THREAT

The president intends to send up to 3,000 U.S. military personnel to West Africa and the government could end up devoting $1 billion to containing the disease.

3. GAZA WIDOW OFFERS INSIGHT INTO WORLD OF SPIES

The woman’s account to the AP of collaborating with Israel gives rare insight into the secret espionage side of its war with Hamas.

4. WHY AMERICANS ARE LURED TO NORTH KOREA

The air of hostile mystery surrounding the country is one thing that has inspired several U.S. citizens to try to cross its heavily militarized border.

5. WHO KEEPS CLOSE WATCH ON SCOTLAND

Quebec’s separatists are keen to find out if the Scottish independence movement has learned from their failed attempts to break away from Canada.

6. BIG BREAK IN PENNSYLVANIA AMBUSH PROBE

Inside the suspect’s abandoned SUV, investigators find evidence they say ties him to the shooting that killed one trooper and critically wounded another.

7. SEN. RUBIO ADOPTS ROLE OF FOREIGN POLICY HAWK

The potential Republican presidential candidate is set to deliver a major national security speech in which he is expected to call for increased defense spending.

8. TAKE IT EASY ON THE WEED

This is what Colorado pot shoppers are being told in a new ad blitz which aims to reduce overconsumption of pot and overcome stoner stereotypes.

9. HARLEY-DAVIDSON CULTURAL ICON TO BE AUCTIONED

It is estimated that one of the most recognizable motorcycles of all time will bring between $1 million and $1.2 million at its Oct. 18 sale.

10. VIKINGS PLACE ADRIAN PETERSON ON EXEMPT LIST

The move will require the star running back to stay away from the team while he addresses child abuse charges in Texas.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.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
July 14, 2026 | 6:30 PM

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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