Skip to main content

Tailgating do’s and don’ts

By Alicia Lozano

WASHINGTON — The D.C. region is full of outdoor events in the summer months. From sports to concerts, it’s the perfect time to grab a grill and some folding chairs and tailgate the day away.

But different venues have different policies, so we broke down the rules at some of the region’s top tailgating spots.

Jiffy Lube Live

From the website:

“Tailgating activities should be conducted in accordance to Virginia law and underage drinking is illegal. Guest drop off facility is also allowed, but you will have to return by 9:30 p.m. to pick up your guest as the police will start closing the road by 9:45 p.m. for egress.”

RFK Stadium

From the website:

“Use of more than one parking spot for tailgating will result in guests being charged for two spaces. Please note that vehicles cannot obstruct driving lanes.

“To ensure that each and every guest can enjoy the tailgating experience, please adhere to the following guidelines:

“When parking, please ensure that your vehicle is completely between designated lines. Parking permits are to be used for vehicles only, not for additional tailgating space or storage. Be considerate of other guests and their vehicles. For the safety of all guests and for emergency vehicle access, please keep aisles and driving lanes clear.Dispose of trash in proper receptacles. Prior to exiting, be sure to extinguish all grills or flames properly (i.e. water, dirt, ice, etc.) Do not place a hot grill underneath a vehicle, or on grassy areas. The District of Columbia requires a permit for any tent greater than 10 inches by 10 inches.”

For permit information, visit the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.

Merriweather Post Pavilion

Sorry tailgaters, but alcohol, grills and glass containers are not permitted in the parking areas.

When it’s football time, check out these local stadiums:

Navy Stadium

There are a few options at the Annapolis stadium. One is to arrive early and do it the old-fashioned way, in the parking lot. Simply arrive a few hours before kickoff and get the party started.

For people who really value a good time and don’t mind spending extra money, consider perimeter tailgating.

From the website:

“Roughly 59 spots are held for perimeter tailgaters which includes groups such as U.S. Navy Academy graduate classes, midshipmen and civilian groups.

“Each group enrolled in the program pays a nominal fee prior to the start of the season. The typical spot is roughly 30 feet by 45 feet, which can accommodate at least a 20 feet by 20 feet tent.”

Click here for pricing and reservation information.

FedEx Field

From the site:

“When parking, park your car in one space only and between the white lines. Parking permits are to be used for cars only, not for additional tailgating space or storage. Be considerate of other guests’ vehicles.For the safety of all guests and for emergency vehicle access, please keep all aisles clear. Dispose of all trash in proper receptacles. Prior to entering FedEx Field, please extinguish all flames and grills. Ash dumpsters are available throughout the lots for your convenience. Do not place a hot grill in or under any vehicle.”

Follow @WTOP and WTOP Entertainment on Twitter and WTOP on Facebook.

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