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Not so fast, the Fort Reno concert series could still happen

By Kristi King

WASHINGTON — There’s a chance the cancelled Fort Reno Summer Concert Series could be revived.

A source close to the situation tells WTOP the National Park Service will meet next week with the concert permit holder to find a reasonable solution.

The event organizer has failed to get a permit from the National Park Service (NPS) for the shows due to a dispute over payment for security. According to Washington City Paper, the Park Service wanted the organizers to hire a U.S. Park Police officer for every show. But, D.C. Councilwoman Mary Cheh tells WTOP she might have a workaround.

“I’ve been trying to explore whether the National Park Service would accept security via the Metropolitan Police Department,” Cheh says. “And then if they would, can I get the Metropolitan Police Department to provide the security.”

Security aside, Cheh wonders whether more issues are at play: “There’s a ray of hope, but I don’t want people to get too excited until I can figure it out.”

Since 1968, the Fort Reno Summer Concert Series in Tenleytown has provided the public with free entertainment while serving as an incubator for local bands. Musicians don’t get paid; rather, they play to get exposure.

A humble wooden stage on a grassy hill surrounded by trees provides a scenic setting. Positioned on the highest elevation in the city at 429 feet above sea level, Fort Reno protected the capital’s northern borders during the Civil War.

People have fond memories of enjoying free shows sitting on a blanket with a picnic, watching the sun go down, or hearing the jingle of passing ice cream trucks. Even if they didn’t especially like the music on any given night, they relished the experience of just being there.

Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen wants the U.S. Department of the Interior to weigh in on the Fort Reno situation. In a letter to Elaine Hackett, Congressional Liaison to the National Park Service, Van Hollen says that his constituents are concerned about the cancellations.

On Thursday, U.S. Park Police Sgt. Lelani Woods released a statement saying the Fort Reno organizers intended to postpone the shows. The United States Park Police “are reviewing the details of previous permits and previous law enforcement needs related to the concert series.

Our primary goal is public safety. Both the [Park Service] and [Park Police] recognize the importance of the concerts to the community and look forward to further discussions with the permit applicant.”

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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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