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Furlough Freebies: Food for federal workers

By Michelle Basch

WASHINGTON – The federal government shutdown is here, and that means some places around town are offering freebies. Most of these deals are reserved for government workers only, but some are open to everyone:

  • Z-Burger locations in Arlington, Columbia Heights, Southwest and Tenleytown will offer free burgers for furloughed federal government and D.C. government workers every day of the shutdown from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and then again from 5-7 p.m. Just show your government ID.
  • D.C. Reynolds Bar on Georgia Avenue is offering Buy One Get One Free drinks between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. each day of the government shutdown. This is good for everyone. Not just government workers. They are at 3628 Georgia Ave NW.
  • The National Geographic Museum will be open with free admission for all on Tuesday, Oct. 1.
  • Furloughed federal workers who buy a hoagie or salad at any Taylor Gourmet location will get “A 10% discount, career counseling & a cookie.”
  • Some of Jose Andres’ restaurants will offer a free sandwich for furloughed workers when they show a government ID from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. everyday until the shutdown is over. The restaurants include Jaleo locations in D.C., Maryland and Virginia; Zaytinya in D.C. and Oyamel in D.C.
  • The National Zoo may be closed, but the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is open Tuesday and is free for all from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Tuesday is free burrito day at California Tortilla’s location at 1470 Northpoint Village Ctr. in Reston, Va. Anyone can stop by for a free burrito from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Sophie ‘s Cuban DC will give you three free empanadas with any purchase when you show a government ID on Thursday, Oct. 3.
  • Sixth and I Historic Synogogue will transform into “Shutdown Central” for the duration of the shutdown. It will offer free food, coffee and wifi to not just federal workers, but everyone. They’re planning some fun stuff such as a “The West Wing” marathon, and games of “Political Ping Pong”.
  • If you’re a federal government employee, show your ID at Mockingbird Hill for a free glass of sherry each day as long as the shutdown lasts.
  • The National Museum of Women in the Arts will stay open as usual and offer free admission to federal employees who show ID.
  • D.C. Reynolds will offer buy one get one free drinks for everyone from 11 a.m. To 9 p.m. every day the federal government is shut down.
  • The Philips Collection will be open and offering free admission for everyone to their permanent collection from Tuesday through Friday.
  • Potomac Pilates will offer two free classes to furloughed federal employees. Here’s how to claim: Create an account at PotomacPilates.net, then email Catherine@PotomacPilates.net and let her know your government job title and department. They will then verify your account and add the classes, allowing you to schedule them.
  • On Tuesday, The Daily Dish in Silver Spring will give all government workers a free cup of regular coffee, no purchase necessary.
  • Beltway Plaza Mall in Greenbelt will give furloughed workers a free lunch and a free movie. Now through Oct. 31, bring your furlough notice to the box office to get coupons for a free lunch, fruit or cookie at participating mall restaurants, as well as a free movie coupon good at the Academy 8 Theaters. Restrictions apply.
  • Fibre Space in Old Town Alexandria will offer free “intro to knitting” classes (normally $75) for government workers or contractors with ID. The classes will take place from 1-5 p.m. on every workday that the federal government is closed. Bring your own needles and yarn, or buy some at the session.
  • Kangaroo Boxing Club will offer $3 screwdrivers from 12-5 p.m., and your first one will be free with your federal ID.
  • All furloughed government employees (except members of Congress) can get one free pulled pork sandwich per day of the shutdown at Pork Barrel BBQ Restaurant in Alexandria. Show your government ID.
  • Federal employees affected by the shutdown: Get a free cupcake from Cupcake Boulevard from 1-3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday when you show your federal government ID.

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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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