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5 Spectacular U.S. Landscapes You Have to See to Believe

By U.S. News & World Report

If you’re ready for a change of scenery on your next vacation, you might think you need to grab your passport. But here’s the truth: There are plenty of awe-inspiring landscapes to see right here in the good ol’ USA. From the mighty peaks of Glacier National Park to coastal canyons of Laguna Beach, these glorious scenes are sure to inspire your next trip.

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

One of the most scenic areas in the United States sits smack dab in the middle of South Dakota. Set on 244,000 acres, Badlands National Park boasts a dynamic landscape that includes sharp cliffs, deep gorges and all the rugged beauty you can handle. Local wildlife, including bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets are also on full display.

Where to stay: Cedar Pass Lodge is the only lodging option in the Badlands. Its historic lodges and cabins are both inviting and eco-friendly, featuring energy-saving appliances and efficiencies, private baths with on-demand hot water and other modern amenities, such as coffee makers and TVs.

Laguna Beach, California

Along with its Orange County opulence, Laguna Beach is rife with natural beauty. With a scenic backdrop of mansion-sprinkled hills, a homey waterfront village and a cliff-covered beachfront sculpted over millions of years, Laguna Beach lures nature lovers and luxury seekers alike.

Where to stay: Travelers who want to enjoy all this city has to offer should consider staying at Laguna’s most popular haunt, the Inn at Laguna Beach. With a cliff-top location right next to Laguna’s public beach, the inn is within walking distance of both the water and popular restaurants.

Minnehaha Falls Park, Minnesota

Minnehaha Falls Regional Park offers the best of Minnesota in a bundled package. Located within the city of Minneapolis, the park and its numerous water features, hiking trails and bike paths that draw city-dwellers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. The 53-foot falls themselves are photographed relentlessly, and have become a popular place for Minnesotans to escape busy city life.

Where to stay: Enjoy both urban and natural splendors on your trip with a stay at The Grand Hotel in Minneapolis, A Kimpton Hotel. Apart from its award-winning restaurant and full service spa, this hotel offers easy access to Minnehaha Falls.

Beaver Creek, Colorado

Just a 2 1/2-hour drive west of the Denver International Airport, you’ll find the sleepy city of Avon, Colorado and its crown jewel — Beaver Creek. This mountain community offers much more than a high altitude; at the top of its lifts, you’ll find some of the best mountain views in the western United States. Ski the slops in the winter and enjoy shopping and long brunches in the summer. No matter the season, Beaver Creek is a place for outdoor recreation and relaxation.

Where to stay: At the bottom of the mountain sits the Westin Beaver Creek Resort & Spa, the premier resort in the Beaver Creek and Avon area. Its four-lane lap pool, three infinity hot tubs, and multiple dining venues and occasional live entertainment will keep you busy while you take in all the mountain views you can handle. Better yet, with many rooms offering kitchenettes and washers and dryers, this resort is ideal for families.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Near the U.S. – Canada border, you’ll find one of the most dramatic landscapes in the United States at Glacier National Park. Stretching across more than 1 million acres, the park includes everything from mountain ranges to verdant forests to more than 130 lakes. In addition to the scenery, you’ll discover animals and plant species you probably never knew existed (like long-toad salamanders and glacier lilies, to name a couple), plus plenty of peace and quiet.

Where to stay: The National Park Service lists a handful of lodging options located in and around the park itself. Included are lodges, motels and 13 camping grounds.

More from U.S. News

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Best Places to Visit in the USA

17 Places to Go in the Last 17 Weeks of 2015

5 Spectacular U.S. Landscapes You Have to See to Believe originally appeared on usnews.com

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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