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Mayor: Toledo, Fiat Chrysler should work together

By WTOP Staff

JOHN SEEWER
Associated Press

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Toledo’s mayor isn’t about to pick a fight with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, even if it pulls Jeep Wrangler production out of the city where the vehicle’s roots date to World War II.

That’s because the automaker will still have a large presence in the area and an assembly complex that will need another vehicle to replace the Wrangler, if it goes.

“I’m not going to put the citizens of this community and the employees at the complex into a position where we compromise their future by reacting irresponsibly to a decision that is best handled by the corporate community,” Mayor D. Michael Collins said.

Collins along with state officials, met with Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne last week to begin talks about the future of the Wrangler and the factory that builds it.

The automaker is looking at moving production of the Wrangler to another U.S. plant so that it can be made with an aluminum body to meet new government gas-mileage standards. Marchionne has assured city and union officials that employment level would be kept steady, most likely by bringing in a new vehicle to build.

The plant, which employs more than 4,000, already builds the Jeep Cherokee and would have plenty of room for a second vehicle.

United Auto Workers officials have said their first priority is to convince the automaker to keep the Wrangler in Toledo. Jeep’s origins in the city go back to 1941, when Willys-Overland Motors began mass production of the vehicle for the military.

The concern among the union is that another model would not match the Wrangler in sales or stick around as long.

Bruce Baumhower, president of the local UAW unit, said the anger and betrayal workers felt when they learned they might lose the Wrangler can’t get in the way of figuring out how to keep it.

He said it’s a road they’ve been down before.

The city organized a “Keep Jeep” campaign in the late 1990s that resulted in a new $1.2 billion assembly complex that now builds the Cherokee and Wrangler.

But such a campaign might not work this time.

Fiat Chrysler has told Collins that its hands are tied by the new fuel economy standards, and that updating the assembly line in Toledo for a new Wrangler would be too costly.

Collins said after meeting with the automaker that he wasn’t positive that the Wrangler will stay. But he’s convinced that the jobs will remain and that the city needs to be a partner with Fiat Chrysler.

“We have to work together. This is a corporate decision for Fiat Chrysler,” he said. “The reality is government doesn’t dictate to private industry. That’s been a proven failure.”

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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