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Bethesda Events This Month

By WTOP Staff

Here are a few of the Bethesda events planned for the remainder of November and one in early December.

If you’d like to see your event featured, fill out our event submission form. Also, please check out the event calendar to see what is going on in the area.

Thursday

B-CC ChamberB-CC Chamber of Commerce Leadership Luncheon
Chamber of Commerce (7910 Woodmont Ave., Suite 1204)
Time: 11:30 a.m. — 1:30 p.m.

Lunch a the B-CC Chamber. Enjoy a buffet lunch while hearing from and having conversation with a local leader. The series starts off with Guest Speaker, Rear Admiral Raquel C. Bono, Medical Corps, United States Navy Defense Health Agency, Director, National Capital Region Medical Directorate.
Members: $25 / Non-Members: $35 Time: 11:30 to 1:30pm

Friday

Dance BethesdaDance Bethesda 2014 Application Deadline
Bethesda Arts and Entertainment District (7700 Old Georgetown Rd.)
Deadline: Nov. 22, 2013

The Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District is now accepting applications for Dance Bethesda 2014. Local dancers and choreographers from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia are invited to apply. Applications must be received by Nov. 22, 2013.

A panel of judges will review the submissions and select the performers. The performance groups who are selected for the concert will receive a $600 honorarium. Applicants can apply online or mail their submission and must include one performance piece, the piece they wish to perform at the event, which is 8-10 minutes in length. There is a $15 non-refundable entry fee.

Auditions will be reviewed by the selection panel consisting of Susan Shields, Professor in the School of Dance at George Mason University; Christine Stone Martin, Manager of the Kennedy Center’s ballet company, The Suzanne Farrell Ballet; and Maida Withers, Founder and Artistic Director of Maida Withers Dance Construction Company, and professor of dance at The George Washington University.

For more information, please call 301/215-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org.

Friday, Nov. 29

The Shops at Wisconsin PlaceGet “Sprinkled With Cheer” at the Shops at Wisconsin Place
The Shops at Wisconsin Place (5310 Western Ave.)
Time: 12 p.m. — 4 p.m.

The Shops at Wisconsin Place will be “Sprinkled with Cheer” on Black Friday, November 29! From noon until 4 pm, the Snow Queen will sprinkle magic snowflakes granting holiday wishes, good old Ebenezer Scrooge will be up to his usual antics, a stilt-walker will entertain, children can get their faces painted, carolers will sing, and holiday jazz music will be playing. All are welcome, and it’s free. For more information, call 703.785.5634.

Thursday, Dec. 5

TedXBethesda speakersTedxBethesdaWomen
Imagination Stage (4908 Auburn Ave.)
Time: 9:30 a.m. — 4 p.m.

This event is one of many TEDx events happening around the globe as part of TED’s “Women’s Event” day on December 5, 2013! Twelve riveting speakers will elaborate on our theme of “Sassy: Lively and Spirited” from a variety of perspectives and experiences, at this Bethesda-based program. Attendees will enjoy up close and personal access to our impressive VIPs and there will be opportunities to mingle with the crowd and our valuable partners/sponsors, too.

TEDxBethesdaWomen’s event ticket price includes refreshments and lunch, attendance at all presentations, networking opportunities…and a few surprises. Any proceeds that exceed our costs will be donated to Imagination Stage’s scholarship program. The intent of TED and TEDx gatherings is to provide a community-based experience at a grassroots level. Now in its 30th year, TED is celebrating its billionth download of Technology, Entertainment and Design talks this year!

Learn more.

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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