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Jeffrey Engle: Why You Should Vote For Me

By WTOP Staff

Jeffrey Engle

This week, we asked the candidates for competitive House of Delegates races in Arlington districts to write a sub-750 word essay describing why residents of their districts should vote for them on Election Day (Nov. 5).

Here is the unedited response from 45th District candidate Jeffrey Engle (I):

There are a lot of important issues facing the citizens of the Commonwealth these days. Those of us in Northern Virginia know more than most about the complex problems we are all going to have to face because of the federal government’s inability to negotiate practical solutions. Since the feds fall short of fulfilling their duties in DC, it is that much more important that the government in Richmond steps up and starts focusing on the important work of protecting our citizens. We need a new vision, clear goals, and accountability at all levels. We need true leadership, not partisan leadership.

I have never been a politician, but I have been serving this great country as a problem solver for my entire adult life. I am not done serving, and if the voters of the 45th House of Delegates District vote for me on November 5th I will work with all members of the General Assembly to come up with practical solutions to the serious issues we face. Issues like an education system that is failing our children, a transportation system that costs a lot of tax dollars and a lot of Northern Virginian’s time, and a tax and regulatory climate that is keeping Virginia from being as business friendly as it should be. These issues are not Republican or Democrat issues and they will not be solved by Republicans or Democrats alone.

Ultimately, this election will come down to a fairly straightforward choice, but it’s not the typical choice that voters face in other races, or even at the top of the ticket. This choice is between two men with very different views on the role government should play in your life. I have seen the failure of legislators working at the behest of special interests, and am dedicated to bringing greater transparency and accountability to Richmond. No one, especially not elected officials being influenced by lobbyists, should dictate the relationship between a doctor and their patients. No one, especially not elected officials influenced by special interest groups, should target taxes and regulations on hard working business owners. And no one, especially not those entrusted to represent the interests of the voters of the 45th HOD District, should go down to Richmond and advocate for less parental control of education, lower standards for poor and minority students, and less protection for the rights of law abiding Virginians.

If I am elected, I will make school safety initiatives my top priority. I will work with hard working legislators, educators, and parents to improve our education system and truly focus on preparing the next generation to enter adult life. And I will work tirelessly to protect the rights of all Virginians to live their lives, and enjoy their freedom as they see fit. So I ask that all voters take the time from their busy schedules on November 5th and vote for Jeffrey J. Engle for the House of Delegates.

Photo via Engle for Delegate

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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