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Latest GM recalls at a glance

By WTOP Staff

The Associated Press

General Motors announced four new recalls on Friday, bringing this year’s total to 38. So far the company has recalled about 14.4 million cars, trucks and SUVs in the U.S. and 16.5 million in North America. Earlier this year GM passed its old U.S. full-year recall record of 10.75 million vehicles set in 2004.

The latest recalls include:

— Almost 512,000 Chevrolet Camaros from model years 2010 to 2014 to fix an ignition switch problem. GM says in rare cases, drivers who sit close to the steering column could bump the switchblade-style keys with their knees, causing the switches to slip out of the run position. This can cause engine stalling and loss of power steering and brakes. The problem has caused three crashes and four minor injuries, GM says. The switches are different from an earlier small-car recall, and unlike the small cars, they meet GM standards for the force needed to turn them, the company says. Dealers will replace the switchblade keys with a standard key and a new Fob that is separated from the key.

— Nearly 29,000 Saab 9-3 convertibles from the 2004-2011 model years. A cable in the driver’s seat belt tension system can break and the belt won’t retract. Convertible seat belt parts are different from sedan parts, the company said. GM took action after finding out about customer complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the statement said. Passenger belts on the 2004 models will get a lifetime warranty. GM says it knows of no crashes or injuries from the problem.

— Nearly 22,000 Chevy Sonic subcompact cars from the 2012 model year with six-speed automatic transmissions and 1.8-liter four-cylinder engines. A transmission turbine shaft can fracture, GM said. If it happens in the first two gears, the transmission won’t be able to shift into higher gears. If it occurs in a higher gear, the car would coast until it slows to the point that it can downshift into first or second. The transmissions can fail if driven for a long time with the problem, GM said. Dealers will replace the shaft. The company says it knows of no crashes or injuries from the problem.

— Almost 14,800 2014 Buick LaCrosse sedans. A wiring splice in the driver’s door can rust and break, messing up circuits that control the door chime and control the electric windows and sunroof. Dealers will inspect the wires and replace the splice if needed. No injuries have been reported from the problem.

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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