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Purdue seeking momentum after loss to Irish

By WTOP Staff

JIM JOHNSON
Associated Press

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Purdue has found what it has been missing the most — intensity.

The Boilermakers learned just how important it is to play with a high intensity level when they stuck with Notre Dame in a 30-14 loss last weekend.

“That has to be the key for our football team,” coach Darrell Hazell said. “That’s one of the things I mentioned to them right after the game is that, ‘You put it out there. The energy, the effort, the intensity, the volume that you played with. All of those things, you have to play with each and every week. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing.'”

On Saturday, the Boilers (1-2) host Southern Illinois (3-0) in a game they see as an important win. Hazell made it clear: There has to be a high level of intensity.

Hazell caught a glimpse into how hard a team can play Saturday night in a prime-time game with Notre Dame, and, for the most part, he liked what he saw.

Even running back Raheem Mostert saw what the Boilers are capable of.

“Last week against Notre Dame was really an eye-opener for a lot of us,” he said. “We know the potential that we have going into this game (against Southern Illinois). This game is very important for us to win. You have to win these non-conference games. The intensity level is right where we need it.”

And, if nothing else, a win this week could show this isn’t the same Purdue squad as last season.

In fact, Hazell says it’s not the same team. There are different players and new players taking on leadership roles. Hazell said Purdue has a better work ethic this year, a better attitude, and there is more attention to detail — big factors that go into playing at a high extremity.

There is some hope that things won’t go downhill like last season.

The Boilermakers played Notre Dame at a high level a year ago, too. They led most of the way until the Irish made a late run to win it. Then Purdue lost nine straight games to end the year.

There are lessons to be learned from a season that ended like that, and Hazell took note.

“Stay the course and continue to work through the issues that you have,” he said. “Understand in the process that there’s going to be sidesteps, maybe even backward steps. But you have the vision of where you want to be when you get the things righted.”

Aside from last year, Purdue actually made a habit of responding with a win after losing to Notre Dame in close games. They won at least one game following a loss to the Irish from 2010-12. That kind of history, however, is nowhere on Hazell’s radar. The second-year head coach is looking forward.

“The big thing is that you have to improve,” Hazell said. “That’s the biggest thing as a football team is that you have to improve from week to week and each week presents a different challenge.”

Southern Illinois hasn’t lost a game this season, and the Boilers expect to see different things from the Salukis defensively. With some energy and some potency, Purdue could earn another win before it opens the Big Ten season against Iowa on Sept. 27.

“We feel if we get that win before the conference game,” Mostert said, “that will boost us up going into the conference games and moving forward week-by-week.”

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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