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Rock Creek deer reduction plan on hold

By WTOP Staff

WASHINGTON – Plans to reduce the number of deer in Rock Creek Park are on hold until March while lawyers battle over the fate of the deer in court.

Several D.C. residents sued the National Park Service in October seeking to stop the park from using sharpshooters to reduce the herd. They would prefer the park use non-lethal options, including contraception, to reduce the number of deer, saying it is the first time the government has allowed the killing of wildlife in the park since it was established in 1890.

The U.S. government has agreed to put the deer cull on hold until March 15. A court hearing is scheduled for March 4.

Jessica Almy, an attorney representing the residents, tells WTOP that the two sides agreed to a quick schedule.

Meanwhile, Montgomery County is using sharpshooters to reduce the deer population in the county-run Rock Creek Stream Valley Park.

Surveys conducted in 2011 show there are about 375 deer in the federally-run Rock Creek Park, or about 80 per square mile. The National Park Service wants to reduce that to 15 to 20 per square mile.

A public comment for the deer reduction plan ended several years ago. The park service plans to use rifles and archery to kill the deer. Bait would be used to attract the deer to specific areas so they could be removed.

The deer overpopulation in the park is harming native plants and hindering the ability of the park’s forested areas to regenerate, the park services says.

The government filed an 83-page brief asking a judge to rule on the park service’s behalf and to dismiss the case. The brief argues the lethal deer culling plan is needed to ensure the park service manages all resources within the park and that the federal law creating the park does not prohibit killing the deer to reduce the size of the herd.

But the residents, who live near the park, argue that the plan violates the park’s statutory duties to “conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein” and to retain them in as natural condition as possible. Their suit also contends that the deer culling would reduce residents’ use and enjoyment of the park.

They have created a petition seeking support for their position in addition to a Facebook page and a Twitter account.

WTOP’s Kristi King contributed to this report. Follow @kingWTOP and @WTOP on Twitter.

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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