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9 Beach Destinations to Visit This Winter

By U.S. News & World Report

With winter just around the corner, many of us are already itching to escape the cool air and retreat to a warm-weather locale with powdery sands and swaying palms. From the colorful coral reefs of the Maldives to the unspoiled sands of Seychelles, these nine picturesque spots are ideal places to unwind and thaw out this winter.

Kauai, Hawaii

Along Kauai‘s rugged Na Pali coast you’ll find the isolated Honopu Beach. Only accessible by kayak, boat or helicopter, Honopu Beach is especially enticing for beachgoers looking to get off the grid. If you would rather get your heart racing with a challenging hike than enjoy the coastal views from the sand, trek along the 11-mile Kalalau Trail, which packs in plenty of jaw-dropping vistas of the north shore.

Bali

Beneath black volcanic rocks on the eastern side of the Bukit Peninsula you’ll find Nusa Dua, a tranquil public beach filled with pristine sands and turquoise waters. Breaks from beachside lounging can include lavish spa treatments, hitting the links on a nearby golf course or surveying the peninsula’s craggy cliffs. If you’re craving calm waves and soft sands, head to Sanur Beach along the island’s southern coastline. And if you’re yearning for a little more adventure, Bali offers plenty of ancient temples to explore and volcanoes to climb.

The Maldives

With magnificent coral reefs, crystal waters and palm-fringed beaches, the Maldives offers a postcard-worthy setting. Thanks to its 3,000 coral reefs, the Maldives is especially enticing for snorkelers and divers. When you need a break from exploring coral-rich waters, retreat to one of the island’s lavish resorts. And for an especially memorable getaway, consider staying at the Shangri-La Villingili Resort and Spa, which boasts a private lagoon, ivory sands and stilted overwater villas.

Seychelles

Filled with enormous granite boulders, chalky white sands and cerulean waters, Seychelles offers some of the most spectacular beaches in the world. Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue beckons to those looking to lay down a towel next to towering boulders, while Anse Lazio on Praslin appeals to snorkelers with its impressive underwater life and warm waters. Whether you’re craving utter seclusion or a change of scenery, Seychelles offers a relaxing, crowd-free getaway.

Jamaica

Jamaica‘s laid-back vibes and spectacular sands make it a choice locale for winter-weary travelers eager to retreat somewhere warm. Visit Negril’s Seven Mile Beach to soak up the sun and splendor, or if you’re yearning for a little more activity, hit the links in Montego Bay or trek through Dunn’s River Falls & Park.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

With its relaxed atmosphere and bright blue waters, Playa del Carmen offers a tranquil beach locale. Days here can be spent shopping along La Quinta Avenida and people-watching at chic beach clubs. Plus, you’ll find plenty of all-inclusive properties and renowned golf courses here.

Koh Samui, Thailand

Thailand’s Koh Samui lures visitors in search of white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and beautiful tropical scenery. Across the island, you’ll find tucked-away Buddhist temples, a myriad of high-end resorts and plenty of fine-dining establishments. And should you tire of sunbathing, you can explore a butterfly garden, check out cascading waterfalls or enjoy an indulgent spa treatment at Tamarind Springs.

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Though there’s no one-size-fits-all beach destination that would suit everyone’s needs and interests, Grand Cayman offers a winning mix of impressive dive sites, coral sands, casual eateries and opulent hotels, luring variety of beachgoers. The show-stopper here is Seven Mile Beach along Grand Cayman’s western coast. This sandy, crescent-shaped stretch is often praised for its laid-back atmosphere, lovely coral and ample snorkeling opportunities in its calm, clear waters.

Paradise Coast, Southwest Florida

If your dream beach getaway involves sunbathing, snorkeling or boating, Florida’s Paradise Coast has you covered. Here, you can take breaks from sunbathing to shops or hit the links in Naples or enjoy a scenic sail along Marco Island. What’s more, you’ll find plenty of luxury resorts here, so when you tire of relaxing on the sand, you can enjoy memorable meals and top-notch spa treatments.

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9 Beach Destinations to Visit This Winter 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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