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Kelly vows to beat cancer, preserve Bills’ future

By WTOP Staff

JOHN WAWROW
AP Sports Writer

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The recurrence of cancer isn’t tempering Jim Kelly’s resolve to keep the Bills in Buffalo.

Citing a family motto of “Staying Kelly tough,” the Hall of Fame quarterback vowed Thursday he will beat cancer and preserve his former team’s long-term future at the same time.

“(Kelly tough) means standing up and giving it your all no matter what comes your way, and sticking to your guns when it comes to what you believe in,” Kelly said. “For me, it means staying tough to beat cancer. And I want everyone in Buffalo to join me in being Kelly tough to keep the Bills right where they belong: Here in western New York.”

The statement was released through his company, Jim Kelly Inc., and comes at an uncertain time for both Kelly and the Bills.

Kelly has spent the past six weeks receiving radiation and chemotherapy treatments for sinus cancer.

“The cancer has been rough. It’s hurt really bad,” he said. “I’m not out of the woods by any means, but we think the treatments are going well, and I’m going to beat this!”

This is Kelly’s second bout with cancer in less than a year. In June, he had surgery to remove cancerous cells from his upper jaw. A follow-up test in March revealed that the cancer had returned.

The diagnosis came shortly before Bills owner Ralph Wilson died, leading to questions about the franchise’s future. The Bills will be put on the market and could be sold by as early as October.

A strict non-relocation clause essentially ties the Bills to playing at Ralph Wilson Stadium through the 2019 season. There remain concerns a new owner could relocate the team after that.

Kelly remains interested in joining a prospective ownership group.

Kelly’s brother, Dan, said he’s had several conversations with at least one candidate, New York City developer Donald Trump.

Beyond that, Jim Kelly urged fans show their support and convince prospective owners to keep the team in the region.

“The Buffalo Bills are a part of life here. They brought me to Buffalo and I love this community so much that I stayed here to raise my family,” he said. “Now is the time. It’s absolutely critical to come out and show your support for the team this season to show the new owners how crazy they’d be to take the team elsewhere.”

Though valued at $870 million, the Bills’ price tag is expected to be higher because it’s rare for NFL franchise’s to go on the market. There is also anticipated to be more than a few bidders, which has the potential of driving the price higher.

One of prospective ownership groups is expected to include Toronto-based businessmen Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, and Edward Rogers, deputy chairman of Rogers Communications. Their group is regarded by Buffalo-area leaders as one that would be interested in buying the team and moving it to Toronto.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

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
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