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After uproar, Google executive to sell Oregon home

By WTOP Staff

STEVEN DUBOIS
Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A Google executive who had planned to tear down his historic Portland house has instead opted to sell it after outraged neighbors complained and 3,000 people signed an online petition urging him to preserve the 19th century home.

Earlier this year, Kevin Rose, a general partner for Google Ventures, paid $1.3 million for a house built in 1892. He initially planned to renovate the old place. When that proved costly, he decided to tear it down and build a 5,900-square-foot home.

On Tuesday, Rose and his wife, Darya, agreed to sell the home for $1.375 million. The couple said in a statement that they did not want an adversarial relationship with their neighbors and new city friends.

“Over the last few days we’ve watched as comments and emotions flared on both sides of the issue,” the statement said. “Some folks arguing for homeowner rights, others for the preservation of old homes. We’ve read all of this, along with your emails, and took it all to heart.”

The primary goal of the neighbors was to preserve the home that has been the site of many gatherings, including annual Easter egg hunts, said Will Aitchison, an attorney who lives in the neighborhood and represented opponents.

A secondary concern was the proposed replacement — referred to in plans as the “Deku Tree Retreat.” The modern, flat-roofed design would clash with other homes in the Willamette Heights neighborhood.

Aitchison said the couple’s plan was perfectly legal, and he acknowledged that the community reaction put them in a tough position.

“I think the Roses underestimated how neighbors would react to the demolition of a house from 1892,” he said.

The buyers are Tom and Jennifer Saunders, who have lived in the neighborhood for many years. Tom Saunders is a developer who has bought and renovated many homes, Aitchison said.

Aitchison, who emailed the offer to the Roses late Monday, said he expects the deal to close by the end of the week.

Kevin Rose tweeted to his 1.46 million followers, “for those of you following our house drama, we decided the best outcome is to preserve the house.” In a follow-up message, he added, “for those that have no idea what I’m talking about . keep calm and carry on.”

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Follow Steven DuBois at http://www.twitter.com/pdxdub.

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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