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Two school districts close as search for shooting suspect continues

By WTOP Staff

BLOOMING GROVE, Pa. (AP) — Two school districts in northeastern Pennsylvania are closed today because of safety concerns for students and staff. This, as authorities continue their search for a man they describe as a heavily-armed survivalist with a vendetta against law enforcement.

Eric Frein (freen) is the suspect in an ambush last week that killed a state police trooper and wounded another. Police say he’s dangerous, and that he has talked about committing mass murder.

According to authorities, after he opened fire on troopers at a barracks in the Pocono Mountains Friday night, Frein evidently tried to make his escape in a Jeep Cherokee. Instead, he drove into a swamp about two miles away. The SUV was found there three days later by a man walking his dog.

That was the break police were looking for. It set off a massive manhunt by more than 200 law enforcement officials over miles of thick woods. It’s a setting where Frein is believed to feel at home.

Authorities say Frein has held anti-law-enforcement views for many years. His father, who spent 28 years in the Army, says two weapons are missing from his home, where Frein lived — an AK-47 and a rifle with a scope. He also says his son is an excellent marksman who “doesn’t miss.”

%@AP Links

140-a-09-(Commissioner Frank Noonan, Pennsylvania State Police, at news conference)-“has survivalist training”-Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan says the suspect is considered armed and dangerous. COURTESY: WFMZ ((mandatory on-air credit)) (17 Sep 2014)

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141-a-13-(Commissioner Frank Noonan, Pennsylvania State Police, at news conference)-“a retention pond”-Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan says authorities got a break in the case that tied an abandoned Jeep to the suspect. COURTESY: WFMZ ((mandatory on-air credit)) (17 Sep 2014)

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APPHOTO PASTR201: Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan, speaks during a news conference in Blooming Grove Twp, Pa. Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014. Noonan identified Eric Matthew Frein, 31, as the gunman who killed one trooper and injured another in a late-night ambush outside a state police barracks. Frein was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer and other offenses. The gunman killed Cpl. Bryon Dickson, 38, and critically wounded Trooper Alex Douglass outside the barracks during a Friday night shift change, then slipped away. (AP Photo/Pocono Record, Melissa Evanko) (16 Sep 2014)

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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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