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Future of Olympic course unclear after hearing

By WTOP Staff

TALES AZZONI
AP Sports Writers

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The future of the golf course under construction for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016 was unclear Wednesday after the city of Rio and the course developer — both defendants in a lawsuit — failed to agree to changes proposed by a Brazilian court.

Rio judge Eduardo Klausner said he would rule on the fate of the course unless the defendants and a public prosecutor returned with a compromise. The judge said work could continue, but new ground could not be unearthed on a course that is being carved out of a nature reserve.

The defendants offered to alter three holes of the layout, which is behind schedule and facing tight deadlines. The public prosecutor, who alleges the city and the developer have violated environmental laws, asked the developer to yield a large parcel of land being earmarked for luxury apartments.

Golf is returning to the Olympics after a 112-year absence. But legal challenges, disputes over land ownership and questions regarding the course’s impact on a fragile ecosystem, have caused delays dating back almost five years.

The dispute again raises questions about preparations for the Rio Games, which seem to be moving quicker in recent months after well-publicized slowdowns and public criticism from International Olympic Committee members.

Both sides told the judge it would not take long to return to his chambers with their final proposals. It was not clear how long this might take, and the judge did not specify a deadline.

“We have made a commitment to have the Olympics. That’s a fact,” Klausner said. “At the same time we have an interest in preserving the nature there. What was lost was lost, now we need a solution that will attend to both demands.”

He called the redesign of the three holes “very viable.”

Marcus Leal, a public prosecutor, said he was concerned about the impact on native flora and fauna.

“We want to make sure that the area is preserved in the long term,” he said. “Having a golf course there doesn’t mean that the local vegetation is being protected.”

Mariana Bruce, speaking for the activist group “Golf for Whom?” called the defendants’ proposals “shameful.”

“Prosecutors and society should not accept it,” she said. “If the argument is that they can’t change anything because most of the course is already there, then it opens a precedent to environmental crimes everywhere. That shouldn’t be a defense.”

The public prosecutor alleges the city violated environmental rules in authorizing the course.

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, could have been suitable. It has hosted the European Tour, and a U.S. LPGA Tour event and club officials were optimistic a few years ago they would land the Olympics.

The course is being built on some of the most expensive real estate in Barra da Tijuca, the Rio suburb that will host two-thirds of the Olympic events.

A key developer in the project, Pasquale Mauro, is one of the largest landowners in the region. Plans call for the building of 160 high-end apartments that are selling for between $2.5 and $7 million. Several penthouses in the complex will be more expensive, with critics saying the development is about real estate — not golf.

The golf course is to be public after the Olympics, but the city has not said how it will be managed — or exactly how long it will remain public. Plans call for it to be a center of teaching golf in Brazil, which has few players, little tradition and is played mostly by the very wealthy.

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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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