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5 things to know about Pentagon giveaway program

By WTOP Staff

MICHAEL KUNZELMAN
Associated Press

Police departments and sheriff’s offices aren’t the only law-enforcement agencies arming themselves with free military-grade weapons from a controversial Defense Department program. Here are five things to know about the 1033 Program, which also has supplied weapons and other surplus military equipment to a diverse array of state and local agencies with limited policing powers:

1. AN ALPHABET SOUP OF AGENCIES

Among the agencies obtaining high-powered weapons under the Pentagon’s 1033 program: fire departments, district attorneys, prisons, parks departments, agents who enforce gaming laws at Kansas tribal casinos, agents who investigate cattle thefts in Wyoming and those who regulate alcohol sales in North Carolina. An Associated Press review shows that non-tactical surplus items have been bestowed on an animal control department in Cullman County, Alabama; a harbormaster in Dartmouth, Massachusetts; and the California Assembly’s Sergeant-at-Arms.

2. WHAT ARE THEY GETTING?

M-16 rifles and .45-caliber handguns are among the most common weapons up for grabs. Guns and other combat gear only account for a fraction of the property that has been transferred over the years. The program offers free clothing, computers, furniture and other equipment that wouldn’t be used on any battlefield.

3. WHY THE CONTROVERSY?

The program, and others like it, has long been the subject of media reports but has received much more scrutiny since August’s deadly police shooting in Ferguson, Missouri, which led to clashes between protesters and police decked out in combat gear. The 1033 program is now the subject of a White House-ordered review.

4. HOW DO AGENCIES WITH VERY LIMITED POLICING POWER JUSTIFY RECEIVING THE WEAPONS?

Doug Wortham, the coroner in Sharp County, Arkansas, says his Humvee helps him navigate the rugged terrain of the Ozarks foothills, but he struggled to explain why he needs the surplus military weapons he acquired more than two years ago. “I just wanted to protect myself,” he said. The Wyoming Livestock Board’s law-enforcement unit issues Glock-made handguns to its officers, who investigate cattle thefts and other industry-related crimes. But the board also obtained seven .45-caliber handguns from the military surplus program roughly three years ago. “I guess primarily because I can’t stand Glocks,” said senior investigator Kim Clark. And a spokesman for the Mississippi Department of Transportation says its seven M-14 rifles are never fired and used only as props during ceremonies.

5. OTHER PROGRAMS

In addition to the 1033 military surplus program, law enforcement agencies also can purchase equipment at discounted prices through the separate 1122 Program, which is overseen by the Army, and other types of non-military surplus property through a program overseen by the U.S. General Services Administration.

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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