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Snow warnings downgraded in most of D.C. region

By WTOP Staff

WASHINGTON – The amount of snow expected to fall in the D.C. region was downgraded early Thursday afternoon with forecasters saying snow may still fall, but not as much as expected.

Winter storm advisories in most of the WTOP listening area were canceled before they were scheduled to go into effect at 3 p.m., with meteorologists saying the area could see traces of snow to a possible inch of accumulation.

In Maryland, a snow warning was reduced to a snow advisory in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. In all other Maryland suburbs, weather advisories were dropped.

In Virginia, snow advisories remain in King George, Stafford and Spotsylvania counties.

However, the region is still expected to get rain that could turn into a light snow in some parts of the area and roads could be slick for the evening commute. Drivers are still cautioned to mind the conditions and drive carefully.

Temperatures are expected to drop into the mid-30s Thursday night.

“Even just an inch of snow on the ground can cause problems on the Beltway, so everyone should be careful about that,” says ABC7 meteorologist Lauryn Ricketts.

The storm, moving up from the South, might bring more accumulation to D.C.’s southern suburbs, but it’s not expected to reach four inches as perviously thought.

FORECAST

Thursday: – Light rain and drizzle to afternoon snow (up to 1 inch inside the Beltway, more to the south). Highs of 43 to 35. Winds out of the northwest at 5 mph to 10 mph.

Overnight: Winter weather tapers early. Lows of 25 to 30. Northwest winds of 10 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, breezy and cold. Highs of 38 to 42 with winds out of the northwest at 10 mph to 15 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, warmer, upper 40s.

Sunday: Cloudy, mid 40s.

As closings or delays come in, WTOP will posted on the WTOP Closings page.

ROADS

Road crews in Maryland and Virginia are preparing for the snow

“Each of us needs to assume the worst and have a plan,” says Melinda B. Peters, Maryland State Highway administrator.

“Storms during afternoon rush hours pose certain challenges because SHA snow plows are driving in rush hour traffic, making snow clearing more difficult,” she says.

Remember to leave early, to allow enough time on the roads or telecommute if that is an option, Peters says.

Crews for the Virginia Department of Transportation have geared up snowplows and have checked sand and salt supplies.

“As we prepare for this snow event, we encourage motorists to check road conditions prior to travel and, if possible, avoid unnecessary travel until conditions improve,” VDOT Commissioner Greg Whirley says.

WTOP Traffic will keep you up-to-date every 10 minutes on the 8s on 103.5 FM and you can follow @WTOP Traffic on Twitter. WTOP’s Custom Commute cameras also can help you navigate your commute.

POWER OUTAGES

Any time there is a storm you can listen live to WTOP from any phone at 202-380- 9977. Text “POWER” to 91035 for a full list of power company phone numbers.

WTOP has a page for you to print out with the numbers to area electric companies and cable providers.

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Follow @WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2013 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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