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No Labels gathers allies in DC to start 2016 push

By WTOP Staff

PHILIP ELLIOTT
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers and strategists from both parties are gathering to outline a plan to save Social Security, add 25 million jobs and balance the federal budget.

Oh, and the delivery date for the bipartisan outside group’s ambitious plans? No Labels says October 2015, right as the next presidential campaign starts to rev up.

The challenge is relevance for No Labels, which is led by a who’s who of current and former lawmakers and some of the savviest strategists in both parties. The group began after the 2010 midterm elections, which gave rise to the anti-establishment tea party, with a goal of bridging the chasm between Republicans and Democrats.

A No Labels-backed Problem Solvers caucus formed on Capitol Hill and attracted close to 100 lawmakers. Their wins, so far, have been scarce.

“When there’s this gridlock, there are no winners,” said Rep. Peter Welch, a Vermont Democrat and a No Labels supporter. “Congress is broken and there’s no silver bullet. … It’s a frustration for members. Red state or blue state, a lot of us would feel much better if we moved forward a bit.”

Looking to boost bipartisanship — and No Labels’ profile — more than 200 local, state and federal officials were visiting Washington for a summit featuring leaders from across the political spectrum. A reception Tuesday night at the British ambassador’s residence attracted Vice President Joe Biden.

Wednesday’s formal meeting is designed to be the starting point for what is billed as a “National Strategic Agenda,” a policy platform that 2016 presidential hopefuls would have to address.

Former American Conservative Union Chairman Al Cardenas and former Clinton White House chief of staff Mack McLarty were set to appear together on one panel. Sen. Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican and tea party favorite, was to appear on another with Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.

The finished platform is expected to be unveiled as President Barack Obama enters the twilight of his White House tenure and his successors are traipsing through early-nominating Iowa and New Hampshire.

The schedule suggests that tackling serious challenges facing the country is unlikely until at least 2017.

“We’re going to be major players in New Hampshire and Iowa,” said Bill Galston, a former adviser to President Bill Clinton and a No Labels co-founder. “Candidates are going to have to answer questions from the grass roots: Are you for this?”

What “this” is, however, is yet to be fully formed. Based on 90 town hall-style meetings in early nominating states, No Labels leaders have identified four popular if ambitious goals:

–Create 25 million new jobs over a decade.

–Secure Social Security and Medicare for another 75 years.

–Make the United States “energy secure” by 2024.

–Balance the federal budget by 2030.

“They’re common-sense goals. But they’re tough to do,” said former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2012 and now serves as a No Labels co-chairman.

Added another No Labels co-chairman, Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia: “In Washington lately, we spend all our time worried about elections. It doesn’t leave much room for actual governing.”

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Follow Philip Elliott on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/philip_elliott

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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