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Michigan RB Green out with broken collarbone

By WTOP Staff

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan running back Derrick Green has a broken collarbone and will be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

The team’s leading rusher was injured Saturday night on a 21-yard run up the sideline in the fourth quarter of a 26-24 loss at Rutgers. It was the latest blow in a dreadful season so far for the struggling Wolverines (2-4, 0-2 Big Ten).

No timetable was given for Green’s return when Michigan coach Brady Hoke discussed the injury during his Monday news conference. Hoke, however, had previously made it clear he did not want to talk about player injuries this year unless they were season-ending issues.

“Derrick’s attitude has been very good,” Hoke said. “He knows the expectation for him is to help coach those young guys and be integral in what we’re trying to get done. . We’ll miss Derrick, but like anything else in competition and sports, the next man has to step up.”

Green has 82 carries for 471 yards in six games this season, including the first two 100-yard games of his career against Appalachian State and Miami (Ohio). The sophomore had 12 carries for 74 yards against Rutgers.

In his absence, sophomore De’Veon Smith, junior Justice Hayes and sophomore Drake Johnson will likely get more playing time.

Smith has 47 carries for 282 yards and four touchdowns this season.

“He has been prepared to carry it as many times as need be all season long,” offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier said. “It’s a matter of circumstance, at times. Derrick has done a really nice job, and De’Veon hasn’t gotten as many touches. But if you look at the productivity of his touches, it has been really good.”

Hayes has primarily been used in third-down situations, in part because he is the most consistent pass blocker in the backfield. He has 19 carries for 101 yards this season.

Johnson, who tore a knee ligament in the 2013 season opener, has almost no game experience.

The Wolverines may also focus more on fifth-year senior quarterback Devin Gardner’s running abilities in order to bring another element to their ground game.

Gardner has 47 carries for 131 yards this season. He showcased his rushing talent at Rutgers with two touchdowns, including a 19-yard scamper.

“You never want to take the caliber of player that Devin is with his athletic ability and restrict that,” Nussmeier said. “Any time you can use the quarterback as an effective running weapon, it creates another dimension the defense has to defend. On the same side, you have to be conscious of protecting the quarterback.”

Michigan plays Penn State on Saturday night.

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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