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Dick’s Sporting Goods Launches 2 New Credit Cards

By U.S. News & World Report

Dick’s is partnering with Synchrony to launch two new cards catering to athletes who love cash back rewards. The Dick’s Credit Card is a store card that can be used exclusively at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dick’s House of Sport, Golf Galaxy, Golf Galaxy Performance Center, Public Lands and Going Going Gone! stores. The Dick’s Mastercard can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

What We Know About the Cards

Both cards earn unlimited 10% back in rewards on qualifying purchases at Dick’s stores, while the Dick’s Mastercard earns an unlimited 1% on all other purchases in-store or online. If you need extra time to pay off your Dick’s purchase, you can get up to 24 months of special financing instead of the 10% cash back. Plus, you’ll automatically be elevated to Gold status in the Dick’s ScoreCard loyalty program after making your first purchase at a Dick’s store.

New cardholders receive a $30 bonus reward after making their first purchase at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dick’s House of Sport, Golf Galaxy, Golf Galaxy Performance Center, Public Lands or Going Going Gone!

There is no annual fee with either card.

Who Should Consider These Cards

The Dick’s credit cards are best for people who shop at the Dick’s family of stores on a regular basis. The 10% rewards on eligible purchases is a massive return on your purchases that you cannot match anywhere else. Choosing between the store card and the Mastercard depends on how you like to manage your money.

The Dick’s Credit Card can only be used at one of the brand’s stores. This can help you avoid overspending since it cannot be used for other purchases, like dining, gas or entertainment. The Dick’s Mastercard is a solid option for people who want to earn Dick’s ScoreCard rewards on all of their purchases, since it earns an unlimited 1% back on everything outside of the Dick’s family of stores.

Alternative Card to Consider

Even the most athletic shoppers spend money at other stores. With the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card, you’ll earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined purchases on two categories you choose. Eligible categories include dining, sporting goods, gyms and fitness centers, and utilities. This feature gives you the flexibility to change where you earn bonus cash back based on where you plan to spend.

Plus, you’ll earn unlimited 5% on prepaid travel booked through U.S. Bank and 2% cash back on one everyday category of your choice each quarter like dining, grocery stores, and gas and EV charging — all with no annual fee. New cardholders can earn a $250 cash bonus after spending $1,000 within 90 days and enjoy an introductory 0% annual percentage rate on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles; after that, a 17.74% to 27.99% variable APR applies.

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Dick’s Sporting Goods Launches 2 New Credit Cards 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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