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10 Last-Minute Summer Vacations You Can Afford

By U.S. News & World Report

Deal-chasers, rejoice.

According to the research company Ipsos Global @dvisor, only 61 percent of Americans took or will take at least one week’s vacation this year. And the U.S. Travel Association’s 2017 Project: Time Off study found American employees forfeited 132 million paid vacation weeks in 2016. Well, happily, if you’re a workaholic, you can still book a cheap last-minute summer getaway this August. Start by searching for Caribbean vacation rentals as hurricane season approaches, tracking airfare fluctuations, studying the fine print and brushing up on undisclosed taxes and resort fees. Or, save time and read on for 10 affordable vacation options that may just inspire you to travel more.

Plan a beach break.

If you’re longing for a sunny locale, escape to Hotel Maya, a DoubleTree by Hilton in Long Beach, California. With fire pits, an outdoor pool with floating cabanas and Mayan-themed decor, this DoubleTree outpost caters to groups of all ages. What’s more, you can surf, try stand-up paddleboarding or tour the Aquarium of the Pacific. Hotel Maya’s two-night minimum PK2 vacation package starts at $418 (plus $50 if Fido comes along) and includes bike rentals and breakfast. Or, head south to Grand Bahia Principe Coba in the Riviera Maya, where $81 per person per day covers meals, beverages, age-appropriate entertainment and access to the children’s clubs and activities.

Enjoy the lap of luxury on a Swiss Alps safari.

August is an ideal time for a last-minute splurge on a European vacation. Take the kids to Grand Hotel Kronenhof in Pontresina, Switzerland, a turn-of-the-century palace outside of St. Moritz. The hotel’s Capricorn Experience focuses on the Alps’ largest herd of ibex, offering a family with two kids ages 6-12 three nights in connecting rooms, complimentary breakfasts and four-course dinners, one gourmet picnic, a day at the Capricorn playground atop Alp Languard and hikes with wildlife-viewing opportunities. Plus, you can enjoy unlimited use of the Kronenhof Spa, the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz golf and tennis facilities, mountain railways in the region, plus themed amenities and treats. Rates begin at $2,358 through Oct. 14.

Watch captivating performances in England’s Isle of Wight.

More than a century ago, Marconi sent the letter “S” in Morse code over 2,000 miles from Britain to Newfoundland. Marconi’s Day festivities are part of the free summer fun at The Needles, a historic chairlift that descends to Alum Bay, where costumed staff in Victorian finery re-enact the first transmission, hold shooting competitions and show visitors how early radio worked. Through Aug. 31, expect stilt walkers, magicians, pirates and princesses, plus weekly fireworks. Three-star hotels in nearby Shanklin are available for under $100 per night.

Brush up on Oahu’s surf heritage.

Catch world-class surfing from Aug. 19-27 at Duke’s OceanFest, when 30 beach and water sports contests honor Duke Kahanamoku, a legendary surfing champion and ambassador of Aloha. If you’re more of a couch surfer than a pro surfer, there are free movies, a dog surfing contest, live music, beach volleyball, parties and more at Waikiki Beach. Even better, doubles at Aqua Palms Waikiki, which are equipped with sofa beds, microwaves, minifridges and coffee makers, are available for under $120 per night. The property also boasts a weekly manager’s reception, free shuttle access and 10 percent discounts at the WaiTai coffee shop, a 1960s classic with amazing, all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts.

Plan an end-of-summer party at Chicago’s Navy Pier.

Chicago has a variety of free festivities, making it easy to visit top sights without paying a steep price tag. This summer, the Navy Pier features innovations designed for the landmark’s centennial. New public spaces, parks and lake pavilions showcase concerts Wednesday through Sunday, Monday movie nights, Tuesday fitness classes, fireworks twice weekly and other free summer amusements. Downtown hotels have rock-bottom weekend rates in August, so you can take in the Chicago Children’s Museum, Chicago Shakespeare Theater and ride the 200-foot-tall Centennial Wheel. The Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile, for example, boasts an indoor pool, sofa beds, free breakfast and Wi-Fi access for nonrefundable rates around $150 per night in August.

Explore top historical attractions on a trip designed for political wonks.

The Summer of American Democracy package at The Jefferson, Washington, DC uses the historic hotel’s collection of artifacts and three custom District of Columbia itineraries to enlighten guests. During your visit, explore the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, retrace the suffrage movement or meet famous pets in American history. Nightly rates start at $305 with the promo code “Summer,” and include a $30 daily credit. Alternatively, head south to Americus, Georgia, where the nearby Plains Historic Inn boasts nightly rates starting at under $115, with themed rooms that reflect different decades throughout 20th-century history. It’s a perfect base to explore the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site as well as the Habitat for Humanity Global Village.

Snap up a deal at Orlando’s theme parks.

Orlando is always busy, making Disney Springs hotel discounts especially enticing, with early park entry, free shuttles and area discount coupons. With weeknight rates starting at under $70, Best Western Lake Buena Vista is an affordable lodging choice. Other properties offer a 20 percent military discount, waive resort fees and include kids eat free deals. Through Aug. 23, families can buy a 4-Park Magic Ticket and visit one park for $79 each day. Plus, Universal Orlando Resort has five-night stays on sale. Starting at $99 per person per night, double rooms with a 3-Park 4-Day Park-to-Park ticket cover Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay, plus one hour early admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Explore America’s national parks by road or river.

It’s not too late to take a summer road trip. Procrastinators can find unusual lodging at nature preserves, vineyards, farms and ranches, even near the national parks with Hipcamp, which aggregates national, state, regional and Army Corps parks among 10,505 campgrounds and 300,101 campsites, ranging in price from $20 to more than $300. Another option: Experience the parks by water. Reputable company O.A.R.S. offers three-day multisport adventures in Grand Tetons National Park that include sea kayaking, camping, hiking, fishing and river rafting along the Snake River. Take $50 off per person on their Sept. 1 departure, which includes all meals, equipment and guided activities, and is priced at $729 for adults and $619 for ages 6 and older.

Set sail on a late summer cruise.

Hankering for a cruise vacation? Consult CruiseCritic.com’s “Last Minute Deals” to view comparative discounts on available cruises. To brace yourself for hurricane season conditions, budget for travel insurance. If netting the best deal is your top priority, consider Royal Caribbean’s five-night Tampa to Havana itinerary aboard the Empress of the Seas from Sept. 18-23, which offers rates starting at $840 per adult in an inside cabin. Also look for sales on Norwegian Sky’s new Cuba routes. Even better, if you book by Aug. 15, Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Sensation will offer four-night cruises from New Orleans to Key West, Florida, and Cozumel for $389 per adult in an ocean view cabin.

Score a deal by joining popular and lesser-known loyalty clubs.

If you have fixed travel dates, explore offers from online retailers, hotel loyalty programs, frequent flyer programs and any other club you belong to. You can often find a great deal, score free upgrades and save on fees by leveraging loyalty club promotions and membership perks. For example, book through a club like Costco, and you can take advantage of a members-only, four-night package in a double room at the swanky Westin Resort & Spa, Puerto Vallarta, a posh tropical getaway with a lagoon-style pool perched on the edge of Banderas Bay for $457 for a family of four. Even better, kids under 12 can enjoy free meals.

More from U.S. News

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Go Here, Not There: 7 Places to Avoid High Crowds and Costs This Labor Day

10 Last-Minute Summer Vacations You Can Afford 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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