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6 Must-See Austin Museums — Locals’ Picks

By U.S. News & World Report

The capital of Texas might have you thinking tacos and concerts, but visitors also can soak up history and art by visiting Austin’s eclectic mix of museums. Whether you want to see rare pieces or a place where landmark decisions are made, these are the cultural spots to seek out, according to local experts.

Blanton Museum of Art

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“I always recommend it, as they consistently have unique exhibits,” says David Scheffke, front office manager at the Hotel Ella. On the University of Texas at Austin campus, the remodeled Blanton Museum of Art displays artifacts ranging from ancient Greek pottery to Andy Warhol’s paintings and prints.

[Read: The Best Hotels in Austin.]

Steven Leigh, chief concierge at the Archer Hotel Austin, says, “Sit, turn your phone off and absorb what the creative masters have done. Lose yourself in the creativity and quietness of being in front of something that’s awe-inspiring.”

The Blanton Museum of Art is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $9, youths 13 to 21 are $5, and children 12 and younger are free.

Texas State Capitol

With half-hour tours departing every 30 to 45 minutes, the Texas State Capitol is one of the best free attractions in downtown Austin. Not only is it the largest state capitol, but it’s a National Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places.

Inside the Texas limestone building are marble statues of Stephen F. Austin, often referred to as the father of Texas, and Sam Houston, who served as president of the Republic of Texas and governor when it later became a state, plus a painting of the legendary David Crockett. Visitors can also view the rotunda, which features portraits of all the presidents of the Republic and state governors. The most prized sights are the Senate and House of Representatives chambers, where paintings of Texas heroes line walls that surround wood desks.

The Capitol is open for self-guided tours Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Contemporary Austin

The Contemporary Austin modern art museum has two locations: The Contemporary Austin-Jones Center and The Contemporary Austin-Laguna Gloria. The renovated Jones Center is in a downtown building with rotating exhibitions, while Laguna Gloria sits on 14 acres on Lake Austin and includes the 1916 Italianate-style Driscoll Villa, the art school, and the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park at Laguna Gloria.

[Read: 7 Austin Parks to See on Vacation.]

Garth Weiser paintings and Mark Lewis’ 2017 film “Galveston” are must-sees at the Jones Center. Laguna Gloria’s outdoor sculpture park features exhibits from Ai Weiwei and Terry Allen, as well as the Driscoll Villa estate, a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark that is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Jones Center hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The Driscoll Villa at Laguna Gloria is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the grounds are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $5 and includes entry to both locations, and those younger than 18 are free. Tuesdays are also free.

LBJ Presidential Library

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“Architecturally, it’s stunning, and they just did a multimillion-dollar renovation. It’s a beautiful piece of Austin,” says Angela Ashley, assistant front office manager at the South Congress Hotel. Built on the University of Texas at Austin campus, the LBJ Presidential Library has 55,000 artifacts you can comb through, plus audio from White House telephone conversations, 650,000 photos and 5,000 hours of recordings.

Leigh recommends the Oval Office replica. At seven-eighths the scale of the original, the replica shows what the office looked in the ’60s, with President Lyndon B. Johnson’s desk, books and portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Social Justice Gallery and The Legacy Gallery are other permanent exhibits travelers shouldn’t overlook.

The LBJ Presidential Library is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $10, youths cost $3, and kids 12 and younger and active-duty members of the military are free.

Harry Ransom Center

Always rotating showcases, the Harry Ransom Center on the University of Texas at Austin campus houses a range of items, from publications and photography to film and artwork. A few permanent exhibits include the world’s first photograph and the Gutenberg Bible. Frida Kahlo’s self-portrait is also currently on display, and the museum has manuscripts from Albert Einstein in its collection.

[Read: 5 Great Austin Shopping Spots.]

Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Wednesday and Friday; from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday; and from noon to 5 p.m. on the weekends. Admission is free, but visitors are encouraged to make a donation.

Bullock Texas State History Museum

The award-winning Bullock Texas State History Museum offers visitors a glimpse of artifacts from more than 13,000 years of the area’s history. La Belle, a 17th-century shipwreck, and civil rights movement relics are a few gems on view here.

This downtown spot is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $13, and youths 4 to 17 are $9.

To experience more of what Austin has to offer, check out the U.S. News Travel guide.

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6 Must-See Austin Museums — Locals’ Picks 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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