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Improved Arkansas eager to snap SEC losing streak

By WTOP Staff

KURT VOIGT
AP Sports Writer

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Bret Bielema promised to win the Southeastern Conference shortly he was hired at Arkansas.

For all of the progress Bielema has made, the second-year coach is still looking for that first SEC win.

It’s a task that doesn’t get any easier this week when the Razorbacks (3-2, 0-2 SEC) host an Alabama team that’s won the last two meetings between the schools by a combined 104-0 — though Bielema is more focused on Arkansas’ progress this season than the daunting task of facing the No. 7 Crimson Tide (4-1, 1-1).

“If we were regressing, or we weren’t moving forward, if there weren’t so many positive things, I think it would become a bigger issue than it was, or is,” Bielema said. “I know it’s going to come to an end; it’s just a matter of when it comes to an end is probably another question.”

Arkansas’ last SEC win came against Kentucky in 2012, the year after former coach Bobby Petrino was fired and John L. Smith was put in charge for the 4-8 season that led to Bielema’s hiring from Wisconsin.

Bielema failed to win a conference game last year, Arkansas’ first winless season in the SEC since joining the league in 1992. This season, the Razorbacks have shown marked improvement through their first five games — leading the SEC in rushing and very nearly defeating Texas A&M two weeks ago before losing in overtime.

“Arkansas is really probably the most improved team in the country in terms of if you want to compare from last year to this year,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “They’ve really played very, very well all season long, had a great chance to beat A&M, came up a little short in the end.”

While the Razorbacks have clearly played better this season compared to a year ago, when they lost their final nine games of the season, the SEC losing streak has continued with losses against No. 2 Auburn and the Aggies. The losing stretch is Arkansas’ worst in conference play since a 20-game losing streak from 1940-43, when the Razorbacks were a member of the Southwest Conference.

It’s been especially difficult to handle for Arkansas fans after a two-year stretch during the 2010 and ’11 seasons when the school was a combined 21-5 and among the SEC’s elite.

Bielema hasn’t been a part of all of the conference woes during his time with the Razorbacks, but the last 11 losses have come under his watch.

Last year’s 52-0 loss to Alabama is among those, though Bielema said Monday he is more concerned about Arkansas’ emotional recovery from the bitter loss to Texas A&M than any kind of hangover against the Crimson Tide.

“There are a lot of guys in our room that are playing that had nothing to do with that score a year ago,” Bielema said. “Definitely me, I wasn’t involved in the year ahead of that. There hasn’t been any of that.”

___

AP Sports Writer John Zenor in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, contributed to this report.

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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