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What You Need to Know About TSA PreCheck

By U.S. News & World Report

Even if you don’t fly often, it’s easy to see the appeal of paying an $85 enrollment fee to dodge lengthy airport security lines, keep your shoes on and your electronics stowed away and then zip through to your gate. Add in the fact that TSA PreCheck is available with 18 participating carriers, including international airlines such as Lufthansa and Aeromexico, at more than 180 hubs across the country, and you may be compelled to sign up, stat.

But before you submit your application, there are a few essential points to understand about the enrollment process, added status perks and key differentiators between PreCheck and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Trusted Traveler programs such as Global Entry and Clear. For this reason, U.S. News sought guidance from a TSA official and top industry experts to pinpoint the pros and cons of the program — and top criteria to consider before signing up.

[See: 10 Frequent Flier Secrets Every Traveler Should Know.]

Why You Should Enroll in TSA PreCheck or Another Trusted Traveler Program

Aside from the perk of using expedited security lanes, PreCheck and other preflight risk assessment screening programs offer added convenience to many passengers, eliminating the need to remove your valuables, shoes, belts and quart-sized bag of liquids from your carry-on. “For a traveler who travels once or twice a year, it’s advantageous,” says Don Lombardo, a TSA program analyst. Plus, the $85 enrollment fee is valid for five years, he adds, noting that the program can be beneficial for casual leisure and business travelers alike and that the average wait time for the more than 3 million fliers enrolled in TSA PreCheck has been less than five minutes in 2016.

While you can’t circumvent the lines completely and you still have to empty everything out of your pockets, a key advantage is that you can keep your laptop in your bag without worrying that somebody might walk away with it past security, says George Hobica, founder of Airfarewatchdog.com. Also keep in mind that travelers ages 12 and under can take advantage of expedited security when accompanied by a parent or guardian with PreCheck status, explains Michael Holtz, the owner and founder of SmartFlyer, a travel company specializing in air travel.

Beyond deciding whether you should enroll in a trusted travel program, it’s important to determine which program is right for you based on your travel patterns. “I recommend Global Entry over PreCheck,” Hobica says. For an additional $15, Global Entry automatically enrolls fliers in TSA PreCheck and enables them to check in with their Trusted Travel pin information and a fingerprint scan at a kiosk, allowing them to skip lengthy immigration lines entirely when departing or returning from the U.S. Another expedited security program, Clear, which requires a $179 annual fee, allows you to bypass security at more than 15 airports across the U.S. and register family members for an additional annual $50 fee per person (kids ages 18 and under can enroll for free). Meanwhile, the Nexus program offers expedited screening for preapproved, low-risk fliers traveling into the U.S. and Canada for a $50 one-time enrollment fee.

How to Sign Up

The top requirements for TSA PreCheck are that you must be a U.S. citizen and lawful, permanent resident, Lombardo explains. Simply pre-enroll online and submit biographical information, and once you’re approved, you can go online and schedule an appointment at one of the more than 380 enrollment centers across the country. By pre-enrolling, “you can be in and out in about five minutes,” Lombardo says, noting that you’ll need to provide proof of identity, payment and undergo fingerprinting during the criminal background check, and when approved you’ll receive a written notice indicating your known traveler number that will serve as your TSA PreCheck credentials. Once you receive this number, you can easily add it to your reservations when you book upcoming flights to ensure your ticket indicates you’re preapproved. Also, keep in mind, if you’re a frequent flier, you can often get the PreCheck application fee waived with a variety of traveler rewards credit cards and frequent flier programs, Holtz says. The Citi Prestige and Chase Sapphire Preferred cards, for example, both offer a $100 credit for Global Entry (and automatically cover the fee for TSA PreCheck). The Platinum Card from American Express, for instance, allows you to recoup the $85 application charge for PreCheck, along with the fee for Global Entry.

[See: 8 Ways You’re Irritating People at the Airport.]

What Happens After You Enroll

“At the end of the day, it just makes your life easier,” Holtz says. Once you’re accepted, you can simply punch in your Trusted Traveler number at the kiosk and head to designated PreCheck lanes at participating airports. Though PreCheck lines can be long during peak travel periods, it’s still worthwhile to have access to a speedier security clearance rather than no opportunity for an expedited airport screening, he adds.

The only downside: “TSA PreCheck lines aren’t at every airport,” Hobica says, noting that they’re not necessarily open all day either. “It’s not a panacea, but it is a great convenience,” he says. You will need to present your ID and boarding pass, but you can keep your valuables, electronics and TSA-approved liquids stowed away. Overall, it’s a great benefit and “reduces some of the stress when you travel,” Lombardo adds.

[See: 8 Ways You’re Annoying Passengers During the Holidays.]

How to Get the Most Out of the Program

“PreCheck only works when you’re going through security in the U.S.,” Holtz cautions. If you travel internationally often or occasionally, Global Entry can be a much greater value. Say you’re taking a family trip abroad and returning on a Sunday in summer along with many other U.S. citizens, Holtz explains. The process of getting through customs can be a much smoother and speedier process with Global Entry’s automated process, which mitigates congestion, he says.

And while many travelers were outraged by the long wait times this past summer, TSA PreCheck lines have become shorter, and experts expect this trend to continue as long as the TSA continues to add full-time officers to meet demand. “They have to add more staff,” Hobica says. “More importantly, they have to retain the staff that they have,” he adds. Still, we can all help everyone zip through security in TSA and standard lines by being polite and making TSA officials’ jobs easier, Hobica says.

More from U.S. News

5 Things You Need to Know About the New U.S. Passport Design

What You Need to Know if There’s a Terrorist Attack When Traveling

What You Need to Know About Upcoming Passport Changes

What You Need to Know About TSA PreCheck 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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