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Politicians reflect on death of Sen. Howard Baker

By WTOP Staff

The Associated Press

Politicians and others across the nation are reacting to the death of former U.S. Sen. Howard Baker, who famously asked regarding the Watergate scandal, “What did the president know and when did he know it?”

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“He was my friend, my mentor and my colleague in the Senate. Howard was involved in countless endeavors, most importantly as a proud representative of Tennessee in Congress. He was a Republican Leader who got things done by working with both parties when it was the right thing to do. Howard has left a lasting imprint on civility in politics.” — Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole.

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“When I think of the ultimate statesman, the very first person who comes to my mind is Howard Baker. Howard Baker was one of those people who had the unique ability to bring out the very best in those around him.” — U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn.

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“Howard Baker was Tennessee’s favorite son, one of America’s finest leaders and for Honey and me an indispensable friend. He built our state’s two-party political system and inspired three generations to try to build a better state and country.” — U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who worked as Baker’s first legislative assistant in 1967 and 1968.

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“Howard was many things over the course of his career – from Senate Majority Leader, to White House chief of staff, to ambassador. Yet, it was his ability to broker compromise and his unofficial role as the ‘Great Conciliator’ that won him admirers across party lines, over multiple generations, and beyond the state he called home.” — President Barack Obama.

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“His service was marked by a courtly, civil, and respectful style that won him friends and admirers on both sides of the aisle. His example — his ability to fight for principle, and disagree without being disagreeable — will continue to inspire us as we honor his life and memory.” — House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.

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“Senator Baker was partisan, but he was patriotic. And his patriotism rose above his partisanship. Senator Baker earned the respect of Democrats as well as Republicans. He worked in a bipartisan way with presidents and colleagues on both sides of the aisle.” — Roy Herron, chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party.

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“He shared his insights, wisdom and wry humor with family, friends, colleagues, presidents and world leaders alike, and he recorded his journey through the lens of a camera that was his constant companion. And regardless of the time, place or responsibility, he always longed for home in Scott County, in the quiet mountains of East Tennessee. It brought him peace, perspective and a connection with what he called the ‘center of the universe.'” — Statement released by Baker’s wife and children.

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“He meant an awful lot to me, not just politically, but personally. He brought me up to Washington at the ripe old age of 30 and gave me a lot of responsibility as counsel for the Watergate committee. He was a mentor. He encouraged me when I ran for Senate. He was always a good source of wisdom for me.” — Fred Thompson, former Republican U.S. senator and star on the television show “Law and Order.”

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“Howard and I worked together and traveled together, and we became good friends over the years. He was one of the best Majority Leaders I’ve ever served with. He was honorable, he was tough, and he was fair.” — Vice President Joe Biden.

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“Howard was so effective and respected as a leader because he did his homework, because of his integrity, and because he was as adept at listening to the other guy state their position as he was at articulating his own.” — former President George H.W. Bush.

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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