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Derek Jeter, an All-Star for the last time

By WTOP Staff

DAVE CAMPBELL
AP Sports Writer

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Derek Jeter was an elite shortstop winning World Series championships not long after many of baseball’s current greats were born.

With the captain of the New York Yankees set to retire after the season, Jeter’s 14th All-Star game will be his last. His first one as a starter in 2000 was special, as was the 2008 version at Yankee Stadium. So don’t expect him to declare his final appearance his favorite, or an experience he’ll find himself savoring any more than usual.

“This is a game that I’ve truly always looked forward to. I’ve appreciate the time that I’ve had here. So it’s kind of difficult to say that I’ll try to enjoy it more,” Jeter said on Monday amid a predictably large crowd of cameras and reporters during the media interview session for the American League players.

Though the Yankees have been hovering around the .500 mark, Jeter has said many times he’s only focused on chasing another championship, not gathering farewell gifts or reflecting nostalgically on his exceptional career. That part has been left up to everyone else around the game.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price said Jeter’s final presence was what excited him the most about this year’s event.

“I know the All-Star game isn’t about a certain player or a certain team, but I feel like it is. This is about Derek Jeter. And the National League guys, they understand that as well,” Price said.

For Minnesota Twins closer Glen Perkins, Jeter has been one of those “guys you can tell your grandkids about” pitching to.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright, who’ll start the All-Star game for the National League on Tuesday night at Target Field, will throw his first pitch to Jeter when the 40-year-old steps to the plate as the AL leadoff man.

“I’m very excited about it, just to say I faced the best,” Wainwright said. “And he is undoubtedly one of the best to ever play his position.”

To Jeter’s left will be second baseman Robinson Cano, who left the Yankees in the offseason and signed with the Seattle Mariners.

“I’m really happy that I’ll be able to be a part of his final All-Star game and be on the same team. It’s pretty amazing,” Cano said. “He’s one of the biggest parts of my career. He was one of those guys when I first came up who was there on and off the field.”

To Jeter’s right will be third baseman Josh Donaldson, who recalled a double he hit for the Oakland Athletics in his first time playing against Jeter and the Yankees in 2012.

“He was like, ‘Hey, good swing, kid,'” Donaldson said. “I was like, ‘Thanks, Mr. Jeter.'”

Jeter was that wide-eyed youngster in 1998 when he appeared in his first All-Star game, in Denver.

“Cal was there and I was afraid to say anything, because it’s Cal Ripken,” Jeter said. “Even though I’d played against him, I barely had a chance to talk to him.”

Then there was 1999, in Boston.

“They had all the great players come on the field. I got a tap on my shoulder, and it was Hank Aaron, and he said he was looking for me because he wanted to meet me. He wanted to meet me. That’s something that stands out. That’s one of the best moments I’ve had on the baseball field,” Jeter said.

That kind of humility, instilled in him by his parents as he grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, has compelled Jeter to strike up such conversations with his peers around the game. He spoke Monday about being happy for the players getting their first taste this week of the All-Star experience, like Yankees reliever Dellin Betances.

“You try to carry yourself the right way. I’ve always tried to do that,” Jeter said. “Then again, at the same time, I am who I am. I don’t try to be any different. If people respect you for the way that you carry yourself, it means a lot to me and it means a lot to my family. It makes you feel good.”

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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