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Veterans fast-tracked as D.C. homelessness skyrockets

By WTOP Staff

Paul D. Shinkman, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – As homelessness among families doubles in the District, dozens of homeless veterans will be fast-tracked to a roof over their heads Wednesday morning in a D.C. Housing Authority event.

The authority hasn’t received housing vouchers for non-veteran homeless people in roughly seven years, says Dena Michaelson, spokeswoman for DCHA. But a special joint program between the departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development received congressional funding for 60 to 70 homeless veterans, already screened by VA, to participate in the Veterans Assisted Supportive Housing program on Wednesday.

The program received $1.5 million in its most recent funding to add 150 new participants, bringing the total program for housing to 744 veteran families and individuals.

There were 598 families on the wait list for an emergency shelter last year, according to the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, and the wait time for an emergency shelter was at least six months.

Michaelson says veterans deserve the preferential treatment.

“It’s a priority for the country and it’s a priority for us for people who have served (in the military), and need the service to be housed,” she says, adding these veterans very possibly are already on the general waiting list.

Almost 145,000 veterans nationwide spent at least one night in an emergency shelter or public housing in 2011, according to VA statistics.

“Congress is continuing to fund new vouchers for veterans because they believe it’s an important program,” Michaelson says. “We believe it’s an important program.”

Only pre-approved veterans may participate, and the program has reduced the time it takes to hand over the keys from six months to one month. The program also provides case management and counseling to these veterans.

Homelessness among local families has climbed 40 to 50 percent in the last year, D.C. Mayor Vince Gray told WTOP in April.

“Much of this is a product of the economy,” the mayor said.

Unemployment still hovers just under 25 percent in Ward 8 in Southeast, according to the most recent city government statistics. It is lowest in Ward 3, near American University and affluent neighborhoods such as Palisades, at 2.5 percent.

In response, D.C. has developed 1,100 new affordable housing units and another 1,100 are upcoming. The city has also bolstered the rent subsidy fund, and the housing trust fund that provides grants and loans to those who want to build affordable housing.

The fair will be held at 1133 North Capitol Street in Northeast at 11:15 a.m. Only veterans pre-screened by VA may participate.

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(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

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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