Skip to main content

DB Fuller wants to push for time with Bears

By WTOP Staff

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Kyle Fuller thinks he is stepping into an ideal situation with the Chicago Bears.

“When I think of the Chicago Bears, I think of their physical defense,” Fuller said. “And I feel like I fit it very well.”

Fuller was at Halas Hall on Friday, one day after the defensive back from Virginia Tech was selected with the No. 14 pick in the first round of the NFL draft. Chicago is counting on the 6-foot, 190-pound Fuller to help improve a defense that ranked among the league’s worst last season.

The Bears have a pair of Pro Bowl cornerbacks in Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings, but Fuller is expected to play on Chicago’s nickel defense and special teams at the outset of his pro career.

“I’m definitely looking forward to coming in and being behind those guys and learning from them,” he said. “But a lot of guys here have reached out to me, congratulating me, saying they’re looking forward to working with me. And likewise as well.

“I’m definitely looking forward to coming in and getting started with those guys.”

General manager Phil Emery said the 33-year-old Tillman will remain a cornerback, ruling out a move to safety. He said Fuller is versatile enough to help in other ways until the makeup of the roster changes.

“You can rule that out 100 percent — you don’t even have to finish your question,” Emery said. “Charles Tillman is our starting corner and that’s where he’s gonna be.”

Both starting safety spots are up for grabs with the Bears, but Emery liked Fuller’s talent and versatility. He said current players were texting him congratulations on the pick Thursday. Some of those players could be involved in training Fuller.

“He’ll probably have more than one mentor to help him through the process, and what’s exciting about that is Kyle’s the type of person who can accept mentoring,” Emery said. “It takes a certain level of maturity to let others reach out and help along the way and Kyle is certainly that type of person.”

Fuller is used to having lots of competition. He grew up in a family with four Virginia Tech players, including former NFL defensive back Vincent Fuller, who played from 2005-2011 with Tennessee and Detroit. Corey, a wide receiver, was on the Lions’ practice squad last year.

“We’ve been in sports since we were 6 years old, playing basketball, track and football,” he said. “So I definitely think it prepared me to get me to where I am now.

“Also competing with my brothers, growing up under them, seeing things they’ve done has helped me become the player I am today.”

Fuller and other Bears rookies will get their first experience in uniform next weekend in a three-day rookie minicamp.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote