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Driver in fatal UMd. hit-and-run turns self in

By WTOP Staff

UPDATE: Friday – 1/17/2014, 7:16 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON — Police say the driver involved in Friday morning’s fatal hit-and-run crash has turned himself in.

The vehicle thought to be in the collision has been recovered and is being held for evidence, Prince George’s County police say. Investigators are working to link the car forensically with evidence at the scene.

Detectives are also trying to positively link the driver to the striking vehicle before charges are placed.

The investigation is ongoing.

EARLIER – Friday – 1/17/2014, 4:01pm ET

WASHINGTON – A University of Maryland student is dead after a hit-and-run crash in College Park, near the university campus.

Police have identified the victim as 22-year-old Cory Hubbard of West Hampton Beach, New York.

Hubbard was crossing U.S. 1 near Knox Road when he was struck around 2 a.m. Friday by a dark blue metallic sedan. Police are still seeking the driver of the vehicle, but have released a photo of the suspect’s car and are currently asking anyone with information to call investigators at 301-731-4422 or Crime Solvers at 1-866- 411-TIPS.

“The initial impression from the investigator on the scene is that the car did not stop before or after the collision,” says Lt. William Alexander, assistant commander of the media relations division for the Prince George’s County Police Department.

According to Alexander, Hubbard was possibly crossing the street with another person.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends and the entire University of Maryland community,” says Alexander.

Officials closed southbound U.S. 1 to investigate the crash.

Alexander says Hubbard successfully crossed the northbound side of and was in the median. When he began to cross the southbound side, the car struck him.

“Baltimore Avenue … that part is a significant part of the College Park community and University of Maryland students obviously frequent that area. There’s a lot of pedestrian traffic there. This is not the first pedestrian accident we’ve had in that stretch of Route 1,” Alexander says.

The roadways reopened at about 6:30 a.m.

␎ Car400.jpg

The Prince George’s County Police Department released this photo of the suspect’s car, right after the collision. (Courtesy Prince George’s County Police)

If you have any information about the crash, call Prince George’s County police at 301-352-1200.

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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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