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10 Free Sights You Can’t Miss in Rome With Kids

By U.S. News & World Report

Planning a Roman holiday with the kids? Long lines and hefty entry fees can wear down even the most enthusiastic young travelers. But here’s the good news: Not every attraction and historical building in Rome requires an admission fee (or a wait). Here are 10 free things to do in Rome that will keep your kids engaged and active — and you relaxed and happy.

St. Peter’s Basilica

There are nearly as many cathedrals in Rome as sculptures, but show kids a few tricks at St. Peter’s and they’ll be engaged. At the largest church in Christendom, designed by greats such as Raphael and Michelangelo, the masters played a trick on church-goers of their era: The colonnaded piazza outside and bronze over the main altar are scaled to confuse the eye. Tell kids to stand at the back of the basilica and look back toward the entrance. From there, church-goers will look tiny. Next, head up the dome for breathtaking city views.

Campo de’ Fiori

Kids may not love to shop at home, but in Rome, open-air markets intrigue with colorful displays of toys, candies and unfamiliar objects. Carve out an afternoon here for souvenir shopping. And afterward, take a break to indulge in gelato, a treat that’s sure to appease even the pickiest of palates.

Villa Borghese

Located in the heart of the city, Rome’s most expansive gardens originally fell under the ownership of Cardinal Borghese. Today, the wild animals he let roam here have been replaced by bikes and scooters, a glistening lake and plenty of green space and shade. Pack a picnic lunch and retreat here after a morning of sightseeing and let the kids run and play.

Gianicolo Park

Located in Janiculum Hill, this tucked-away park offers some of the best views of Rome. In addition to optimal photo ops, kids will love the free open-air puppet show performed daily. This centuries-old tradition is cherished among locals, and though the shows are performed in Italian, the puppets’ lively acts are enjoyed by all.

The Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is a can’t-miss stop on any trip to Rome. And though the tradition of tossing coins into the fountain to ensure a trip back to the Eternal City will cost you, visiting is free of charge. The trick lies in knowing when to go to avoid peak crowds at this iconic landmark. Head to the fountain first thing in the morning for unobstructed views. Also, keep in mind the area is most crowded during the late afternoon and evenings.

The Pantheon

While many of Rome’s ancient buildings are in ruins and require a keen imagination to envision them in their glory, the Pantheon has remained intact thanks to its adoption to Christianity early on. Of course, parents will see the irony here, since Pantheon literally translates to “all gods,” but regardless, kids will love exploring the world’s largest dome. Encourage children to stand in the center and look up at the Pantheon’s unique oculus perched atop the dome, which allows for natural light to filter in. After your tour, sample some gelato at one of the popular shops lining the square surrounding the Pantheon.

La Bocca della Verità

Sculptures are abundant in Rome, so kids may not pay much attention to this one until parents give them the backstory: Legend has it that the Bocca della Verità, or “mouth of truth” will bite the hand of any person telling a lie. Let kids try inserting a hand into its gaping jaws. At the very least, the scary face on this sculpture will lend authenticity to the tale.

The Roman Forum

While it’s a smart idea to hire a family-friendly guide to walk you through the Roman Forum to direct you to noteworthy points of interest, you can also embark on a tour on your own, free of charge. Make sure to stop at the signposts (written in multiple languages) to orient yourself, and be prepared to explain the ruins to kids. You can also catch the free guided tour that departs daily at 1 p.m. While the tour is geared toward adults, older kids and teens will easily be able to follow along.

Take a Free Walking Tour

Take advantage of a wonderful resource in Rome: free tours provided by New Rome Free Tour, which offers complimentary walking tours across the Eternal City. Currently, the tour offers commentary on the Angels of Bernini and Queen Margherita’s tomb, plus an in-depth look at the picturesque Piazza di Spagna. Guides also take visitors past the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. Tours start at the Piazza di Spagna at 5:30 p.m. daily and take around two hours.

The Colosseum, Palatino, Forum and the Vatican — on Free Days

While Rome’s major tourist attractions do offer free days each month, keep in mind you’ll be enjoying the city’s top-rated attractions with hordes of tourists. That said, if you’re on a tight budget and you’re yearning to visit Rome’s ancient ruins and the Vatican for free, the Vatican Museums are free the last Sunday of each month, and the Colosseum, Palatino and the Roman Forum are free the first Sunday of each month. Plan to arrive well in advance of the 9 a.m. admission time and be prepared to stand in line. As you wait, you can keep the kids entertained with quiet games, a round (or twenty) of I Spy or trivia.

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10 Free Sights You Can’t Miss in Rome With Kids 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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