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Dolphins may get back 6 starters against Green Bay

By WTOP Staff

STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer

DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — Healthier than they’ve been since the season began, the Miami Dolphins should benefit from a wave of reinforcements Sunday against Green Bay.

As many as six players might rejoin the starting lineup, and all practiced Monday when the Dolphins reconvened following their bye week.

Running back Knowshon Moreno practiced for the first time since he was sidelined by an elbow injury in Week 2. Also back are two starters expected to play Sunday for the first time this season, safety Reshad Jones and Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey, whose comeback could involve a switch to guard.

Others returning from injuries are middle linebacker Koa Misi (ankle), defensive tackle Randy Starks (back) and guard Shelley Smith (knee).

“The bye came at a pretty good time,” receiver Mike Wallace said. “It’s going to be good for our team. We haven’t seen these guys together like this in a long time. I’m excited; I know our whole team is excited.”

Absent on Monday was reserve defensive lineman Derrick Shelby, suspended indefinitely in the wake of his weekend arrest on misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and trespassing at a nightclub. Cornerback Cortland Finnegan and receiver Brandon Gibson also sat out.

Even so, there was a dramatic net gain in manpower, which is especially welcome as the Dolphins (2-2) prepare for perhaps their toughest opponent so far. Green Bay (3-2) has won its past two games by a combined score of 80-27.

The reinforcements mean lots of depth-chart reshuffling this week.

“You want to get these guys up to speed as quickly as you possibly can,” coach Joe Philbin said. “Some look great, some not so much. We’ve got to see where they are and how much they can be used in a game.”

Moreno practiced with an elbow brace and said he’ll wear it in a game if necessary. His return buoys a ground game that has been a strength even in his absence.

“It felt good to get out there on the field and work out a little of the rust,” he said.

Moreno led the NFL with 134 yards rushing in Week 1.

Pouncey, returning from hip surgery in June, should help an offensive line that is much improved over last season. His replacement, Samson Satele, has played well enough to prompt speculation he’ll remain at center while Pouncey moves into the lineup at guard.

“Whatever position I’m playing, it’s going to be for the better of the team,” Pouncey said. “We’ll see. It’s coach Philbin’s decision.”

Pouncey played mostly guard for the Florida Gators but has been at center since being drafted by the Dolphins in 2011.

“Guard is my position,” Pouncey said. “I was kind of forced to play center when I got drafted here.”

The defense is getting a boost with the return of Misi, Starks and Jones, who was suspended for the first four games for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances. Jones further strengthens a secondary that had three interceptions in its most recent game against Oakland.

“I’m going to be running around out there with my hair on fire,” Jones said. “That’s what I do. I’m a ball hawk. That’s what they look for me to do.”

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL

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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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