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Texas QB Ash talks about concussions, walking away

By WTOP Staff

MARK ROSNER
Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — David Ash had hoped he would be able to play football again. The Texas quarterback knew better than to believe it would happen.

Ash spoke Monday for the first time since coach Charlie Strong announced last week that the junior’s career was over.

Ash figured he could be finished when he called a team doctor in the middle of the night after the North Texas game on Aug. 30 and said he was experiencing headaches and dizziness.

“The symptoms got worse the next day and the next day,” Ash said. “In the core of my heart of hearts, I knew I shouldn’t be playing. I don’t think my hopes were ever really high. I’ve met my quota for crying for the next 10 years.”

Ash suffered a concussion during the second week of the 2013 season in a game at BYU. That is the only concussion that Ash and the team have acknowledged. He returned two weeks later, against Kansas State, but left that game with what Texas officials called a head injury. He missed the rest of the season.

His second comeback lasted one game, the season opener against North Texas on Aug. 30. Ash said he figured the end was inevitable after seven or eight days of headaches following that game. Though he was tackled several times in the game, Ash said, “I didn’t take a vicious blow.”

Strong waited a few weeks for Ash to arrive at a decision that was not really his to make. When Strong announced last Wednesday that Ash would no longer play, the coach said he told his quarterback “there was no way we were going to let you back on the field.”

Even so, Ash said he appreciated that Strong, and the university, allowed him the time for contemplation.

“The doctors and coaches, they all pretty much knew I wasn’t going to be able to play,” Ash said. “But they never told me that because I think they knew if they just took it away like that, it would have jolted me. So we went through due process and helped me understand why.”

Ash, deeply religious, said he “prayed a lot” while considering his future. He is concerned that future might include lingering effects from the injuries.

“That obviously played a role” in his decision, Ash said. “I’ve felt better the last few days. There are still things once in a while that are a little irregular.”

Ash was 15-7 as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback. He had some big moments, leading the team to a 75-yard game-winning drive at Oklahoma State in 2012, and a comeback victory against Oregon State in the Alamo Bowl that season.

But he failed to beat rival Oklahoma in two tries, both blowout defeats. He was benched at Kansas in 2012 and watched from the sideline as Case McCoy led Texas to a narrow victory. Ash wishes his health would have afforded him the opportunity to leave behind a stronger legacy, to reach some goals.

But, he said, “I’m at peace.”

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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