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MoCo ‘Not Out Of The Woods Yet’ When It Comes To Budget

By WTOP Staff

Montgomery County is recovering but not all the way back from the fiscal woes of the last few years, County Executive Isiah Leggett and other officials told residents at a budget forum on Monday in Bethesda.

Leggett, who held the event before the release of his recommended fiscal year 2014 operating budget on March 15, cut 1,254 county positions from 2010 to 2012 and faced the loss of about $4 billion in property tax revenue during the recession.

Things have begun to turn around. But a county budget analyst warned there’s still limited room to restore some of the programming and positions that have been cut.

“Things are a little bit better, but we’re not out of the woods yet,” said Jennifer Hughes, director of the Montgomery County Office of Management and Budget.

As always, Hughes and Leggett described a budget that would be mostly devoted to three “given” areas: schools, public safety and debt service payment.

Montgomery County Public Schools took up 48 percent ($2.1 billion) of Leggett’s recommended $4.428 billion budget for last year, and that rate likely won’t change much. Combined with funding for public safety (police, fire, corrections and homeland security) and the payment of debt for capital projects, Hughes said there about 29 percent of the budget should be left for what she labeled “discretionary funding.”

Last year, a healthier budget cycle meant the restoration of 92 county positions and a recommended $37.7 million increase for public safety, $26.9 million increase for other employee compensation/fixed costs/non-public safety and $60 million increase for retiree health benefits.

Leggett touted the county’s new Open Data program as an example of a servie that increased government transparency while being affordable and innovative. He also relayed his belief that by the time his operating budget gets to the County Council, about 98 percent of it will be agreed upon.

County Councilman Roger Berliner (D-Bethesda-Potomac) will likely have a role in wrangling over the remaining budget issues. He spoke at the forum and praised Leggett (D) for his “fiscal stewardship” during tough economic times, a recurring label that has come to define Leggett’s time in county government’s top position.

Monday’s forum was the third of five Leggett will host countywide. Tomorrow, he’ll head to the Silver Spring Civic Building before going to the East County next week.

The County Council approves the operating budget at the end of May.

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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