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First lady helps lay keel for new submarine

By WTOP Staff

JENNIFER McDERMOTT
Associated Press

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (AP) — Michelle Obama wrote her initials in chalk on a steel plate and a welder inscribed them in Navy tradition as the keel was laid for the future USS Illinois on Monday.

The first lady is the sponsor of the nation’s 13th Virginia-class attack submarine, and the plate with her initials will be permanently affixed to the vessel.

At the keel-laying ceremony at the Rhode Island manufacturing plant for Electric Boat, the first lady called being selected as the sponsor one of the extraordinary experiences of her life.

“I am going to do my best to honor your service by being a really good sponsor, OK,” the first lady told the submarine’s crew. “I am going to do my job really, really well. I am going to think about you always. But more importantly, I’m going to use every fiber of my body to make sure that we live in a country that never forgets your service.”

Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee, Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, congressmen from both states, shipbuilders and Navy leaders took part in the ceremony. Speakers highlighted the achievements and the dedication of the submarine industrial base.

“The vessel whose keel we lay today will be the most advanced ship in the world, its technology absolutely unmatched,” Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus said.

Mabus, who named the first lady as the ship sponsor, said Obama, who is from Illinois, will imbue the submarine with her “compassionate and indefatigable spirit.”

Rear Adm. David Johnson, the Navy’s program executive officer for submarines, told Obama she will share in the successes, joys, trials and tribulations of the crew and their families.

“In short, you’re in for a heck of a ride,” Johnson said.

The submarine doesn’t have a traditional keel that runs the length of the ship because it is built in modules. A 100-foot long, 1,700-ton section of the hull for the Illinois draped with flags served as the backdrop for the ceremony.

Welder Michael R. Macomber, a 37-year veteran of Electric Boat, inscribed Obama’s initials.

Construction began in March 2011, and the submarine is nearly 75 percent complete. The $2.7 billion boat is slated to be delivered to the Navy in 2016.

Cmdr. Jess Porter, the submarine’s commanding officer, said after the ceremony that Obama’s remarks about service members and their families resonated with him because the sacrifice of military families is often overlooked. He also said it’s phenomenal that the first lady is the sponsor.

“It’s like having Babe Ruth on your team,” he said.

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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