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Widow says Pakistan should have done more…Iranian ships turn around…More help for migrants

By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Elaine Weinstein (WYN’-steen) says the Pakistani government should have done more to win the release of her husband as he was held hostage by al-Qaida. U.S. officials say Weinstein was killed by a CIA drone strike in Pakistan in January. President Barack Obama says the strike targeted an al-Qaida compound, and that there had been no evidence that Weinstein or an Italian hostage were there. The Italian man was also killed. Officials say drone strikes also killed two Americans who had been working with al-Qaida.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. defense official says the convoy of Iranian cargo ships that had been headed toward Yemen, possibly with advanced weapons for rebels, has reversed its direction, at least temporarily. The official says it’s not clear where the convoy may be headed now, but it’s no longer moving in the direction of the Yemeni port of Aden. Defense Secretary Ash Carter hasn’t said whether the U.S. would forcibly stop and board one of the Iranian ships if it entered Yemeni waters.

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders are promising extra ships, planes and helicopters to save lives in the Mediterranean. The pledges came at an emergency summit today — convened after hundreds of migrants drowned in the space of a few days. They also agreed to lay the groundwork for military action against traffickers.

CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) — Attorneys for the parents of Michael Brown say the wrongful-death lawsuit they’ve filed today will bring to light some new forensic evidence in the fatal shooting of Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. And they say it will raise new doubts about the police version of what happened. The lawsuit against the city of Ferguson opens a new chapter in the legal battle over a shooting that sparked a nationwide protest movement about the way police treat blacks.

NEW YORK (AP) — The Nasdaq composite has closed at a record high for the first time since the dot-com bubble of 2000. The index gained 20 points today to close at 5,056, beating its previous high by eight points. The Dow rose 20 points, and the S&P gained four, to close just below its own record from last month. A lot has changed since the dot-com era, when the Nasdaq index was more heavily weighted with technology and telecom companies. These days, biotechnology and consumer services companies make up significant parts of the index.

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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