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The Dutch Plan to Create International Abortion Fund

By U.S. News & World Report

The Dutch government is creating an international fund to help women pay for birth control, abortion and family planning education, a move that follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order to ban U.S. funding of such practices.

In the Wednesday announcement posted on the Dutch government’s website, Lilianne Ploumen, the nation’s minister for foreign trade and development cooperation, said the move is a response to the Trump administration’s announcement.

“This decision has far-reaching consequences,” Ploumen said in the government announcement about the Trump action. “Banning abortion does not reduce the number of abortions. What it leads to is dangerous backroom procedures and higher maternal mortality.”

Trump on Monday reinstated a policy that requires foreign nongovernmental organizations that receive U.S. global family planning funds to certify that they do not perform abortions or provide abortion advice as a method of family planning. The policy is known as the “Mexico City Policy” and has been instituted by Republican administrations and rescinded by Democratic ones since 1984. As reported by The Hill, the move by Trump came a day after the 44th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling that made abortion legal in the U.S.

The Dutch government estimates that Trump’s action will cause a funding shortfall of $600 million over the next four years, according to a Reuters report. In its announcement, the Dutch government cited Marie Stopes International, one of the affected organizations, as saying that the cut in funding it receives will result in 6.5 million additional unwanted pregnancies, 2.2 million additional abortions – many of them unsafe. The organization added that the cut in U.S. funding would result in the deaths of 21,700 young mothers over the next four years.

In her announcement, Ploumen sketched out the creation of a fund that will be supported by other countries, as well as businesses and social organizations. Details of the international fund, such as when it will be established and how many countries and organizations will help subsidize it, have to be worked out, said Marjolein Busstra, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry. The Dutch government is reaching out to the world, Busstra said.

“We feel the urgency, but we want to do this properly,” Busstra said, speaking by telephone from Amsterdam. Busstra said individuals, including in the U.S., have contacted the Dutch government to voice support for the plan. “We are overwhelmed with the positive reactions around the world.”

The Dutch government’s announcement comes as the international community is anxiously girding itself for Trump’s proclamation that its foreign and domestic policies will be driven by embracing “America first.” With his first week in office not yet over, Trump already has signed an executive order that withdraws the U.S. from the Tran-Pacific Partnership trade pact with Asia-Pacific countries.

Multiple countries, including close U.S. allies, are still assessing what “America first” will mean for trade and other relations between their nations and Washington. British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday will be the first foreign head of state to visit Washington and meet Trump. Trade is expected to be a large part of their conversations.

More from U.S. News

Nordic Nations Among the Best Countries for Women, Survey Finds

Countries Where Abortion Is Illegal Under Most Circumstances

Learn More About the Netherlands

The Dutch Plan to Create International Abortion Fund 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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