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Escape the Summer Heat in These Cold-Weather Destinations

By U.S. News & World Report

Hike, bike, camp and see spectacular wildlife and landscapes in these unexpected summer vacation destinations.

As the impending summer forecast shows scorching heat, it’s the perfect time to think about slipping away to a destination with milder temperatures, fresh mountain air and reasonable prices. So, if you’re ready to lie low and spend quality time in the great outdoors on a fun and offbeat summer vacation to remember, start mapping your trip to these colorful mountain towns, inspiring national parks and beautiful far-flung international places, from Norway to Nova Scotia.

Enjoy outdoor adventures in the Colorado Rockies.

Want to embrace cool mountain scenery in an urban destination? Denver is the perfect place to enjoy an active adventure with big-city attractions, open roads and plenty of outdoor pursuits. Best of all, the higher you climb, the cooler the air. While the nights can get chilly, the summer days are mild, with temperatures hovering in the 70s and 80s. Enjoy rafting, biking and hiking, as you take in the beautiful views.

Relax by the lake in Milwaukee.

Summer is the time to chill out in Milwaukee. Perched on Lake Michigan, Milwaukee affords pleasant daytime temperatures lingering in the 70s and 80s during the peak travel season. While motorcycle fans will love to learn about the Harley-Davidson history in the area, foodies can delight in a staple: Wisconsin cheese. What’s more, many festivals also take place in the summertime, including the popular Milwaukee Summerfest, a vibrant music festival along the lake that will showcase more than 800 bands over an 11-day stretch from the tail end of June through early July. Other can’t-miss summer festivals include the Wisconsin State Fair, Polish Fest and PrideFest Milwaukee.

Experience a mild summer in Denali National Park.

If you like cooler conditions, enjoy pleasant temperatures in the 60s in Alaska at Denali National Park and Preserve, where you can take in wide open spaces, check out staggering mountain views and enjoy ample opportunities for wildlife spotting. The preserve stretches across 6 million acres and is blanketed with animals roaming along snowy mountains and alpine tundra. Denali National Park is also celebrating its 100th birthday in 2017, making it the perfect time to take part in special events. Aside from hiking along scenic trails, you can catch sled dog demonstrations and enjoy other immersive activities.

Take the kids to Yellowstone National Park.

A trip to Yellowstone — with its majestic peaks, impressive wildlife and dramatic waterfalls and geysers — is a rite of passage for every budding outdoor adventurer. And happily, in the summertime, temperatures hover around the 70s during the daytime, and dip into the 40s at night, perfect for planning a memorable (and comfortable) family camping trip. During your trip, don’t miss exploring geothermal wonders, such as Old Faithful geyser and Mammoth Hot Springs, or catching sight of the area’s canyons, forests and rivers.

Admire the northern lights and otherworldly landscapes in Norway.

Get away to brisk and bright Norway this summer, and enjoy the country’s pleasant summer temperatures, which typically linger in the 50s and 60s. Celebrate the summer solstice on June 23, which will include a traditional seaside bonfire where locals and visitors will gather to be merry, drink and eat to commemorate the occasion. Best of all, you can catch a view of the northern lights and explore the area’s vibrant pubs and historic sights, such as in Mandal and Oslo. If you’re yearning for cooler temperatures, go north.

Enjoy whale watching in Nova Scotia.

If you love seafood and wildlife watching opportunities, consider making your way to Nova Scotia for a cool summer escape to remember. A maritime province located off the coast of Canada, Nova Scotia has delicious seafood and abundant active outdoor adventures. Explore the famous Bay of Fundy as well as the vibrant capital, Halifax, where you can check out the beautiful star-shaped Citadel, meander through the nation’s famous public gardens dating back to the Victorian era and embrace mild summer temperatures in the 60s and 80s.

More from U.S. News

7 Summer Vacation Ideas for Every Type of Traveler

3 Mountain Towns to Escape the Summer Heat

7 Affordable Ways to Experience America’s National Parks

Escape the Summer Heat in These Cold-Weather Destinations 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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