Nats players whine about Florida cold snap

By WTOP Staff
March 3, 2013 | 3:22 PM

Craig Heist, wtop.com

VIERA, Fla. – The last thing I would ever want to do is complain (okay, that’s a lie), but when all of us got to Space Coast stadium today at 8 a.m., it was 40 degrees.

Not a problem normally at this time of the year in D.C., but I’m in central Florida.

For those dealing with the back end of winter in D.C., I present to you some not-so-happy Washington Nationals ballplayers who are also dealing with “winter” in the Sunshine State this weekend.

“It feels like the end of the world right now,” said Nats pitcher and Miami native Gio Gonzalez. “The way it’s feeling, it’s crazy. When you get this kind of element, you go from sunny Florida to the fact it’s freezing right now.”

When it was brought to his attention he would be viewed as a whiner to the fans back home, Gio said, “bring it on.”

“I still get that to this day. That’s fine. I’ll whine til I die right there. It’s Cold!”

“I didn’t think I’d say I would be cold in Florida after coming from Maryland but I’m definitely saying it this morning,” said Nats utility man, Steve Lombardozzi.

“I’m just trying to stay warm,” said Syracuse manager Tony Beasley, dressed in a hooded sweatshirt and jacket. “Florida is a different kind of cold. If I was 43 degrees in Virginia, I’d be okay but for some reason 43 in Florida feels like 23.”

Nats pitcher Craig Stammen said he knew there will be no sympathy from the fans in D.C.

“They are probably looking for flurries and snow and below freezing weather there, but when you get used to 80 degree weather and it gets down to 55, you don’t like it.”

“This is not the most conducive baseball weather today,” said Nats relief pitcher and Florida native, Tyler Clippard. “I’m not used to this and I’m not real thrilled right now.

Yes, we are not the best at sucking it up and playing, but as many players say about the complaining, it is what it is.

Follow Craig Heist on Twitter.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
July 14, 2026 | 6:30 PM

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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