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Couple: Philly mayor set to perform gay weddings

By WTOP Staff

MARYCLAIRE DALE
Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Catherine Hennessy and Kristin Keith rushed to get a marriage license in Philadelphia this week, even though they didn’t plan to marry right away.

Those plans have now changed. Thanks to an unexpected offer from City Hall, they have moved up their wedding to be married Friday by Mayor Michael Nutter, Hennessy said.

“When the mayor calls you and says he wants to marry you, you don’t say no,” Hennessy said Thursday.

U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III sent the state’s same-sex marriage ban to “the ash heap of history” Tuesday, making Pennsylvania the 19th state to legalize gay marriage. Couples who got licenses that day will be eligible to marry Friday under the state’s three-day waiting period.

Several Philadelphia judges have announced plans to be at City Hall both Friday and Saturday to officiate weddings.

Nutter’s office would not confirm his plans, and said he has no public appearances scheduled. However, spokesman Mark McDonald said his schedule could change.

Hennessy and Keith are among the 18 gay or lesbian couples who got licenses before City Hall closed on Tuesday.

They had their own ceremony 10 years ago, with more than 100 friends and relatives, in the converted church where they lived. Hennessy, 51, runs a photography business, while the 42-year-old Keith works in sales for a publishing firm.

“We already had decided years ago we were going to be in a committed relationship, but it’s nice to get recognition,” Hennessy said.

Despite their new wedding date, they won’t be the first same-sex couple married in Pennsylvania. Allegheny County Judge Lawrence O’Toole has issued two waivers this week, allowing couples to skip the three-day wait.

The county fielded 290 marriage license applications Tuesday and Wednesday, after averaging 10 a day in recent weeks, county spokeswoman Amie Downs said.

A number of same-sex couples have asked Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto to perform their ceremony, spokesman Timothy McNulty said. None are scheduled for May, but some are expected to be scheduled next month.

Joe Parisi and Steven Seminelli were among the couples receiving the first licenses Tuesday in Philadelphia. They, too, got a call about being married by the mayor. But they decided to stick with their original plan, to be married at the city’s historic Christ Church — where some of the nation’s founders also wed.

“We are very honored and flattered for the (mayor’s) invitation,” Seminelli said. “However, we prefer a more intimate celebration, which will be at our church.”

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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