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Oversight Report Could Provide Impetus For Liquor Department Reforms

By WTOP Staff

Montgomery CountyAn independent examination of Montgomery County’s Department of Liquor Control could lead to changes in how Montgomery sells alcohol to restaurants and retailers.

The Office of Legislative Oversight, the Council office that does studies and reports on various county agencies, will likely have a review of DLC on its work program for this fiscal year. The Council is expected to approve the report and 14 other OLO projects on July 29.

The DLC’s control of alcohol distribution has been under scrutiny over the past year as Montgomery County searches for ways to attract millennials by boosting restaurants and bars part of the nighttime economy. Much of the discussion in a county-organized task force on the topic last year revolved around reforms to alcohol laws.

Restaurant owners have complained that the county’s role as alcohol distributor restricts the variety of wine, beer and liquor businesses can acquire. Some have also complained about less frequent delivery times. The DLC operates a central facility from which it delivers orders to restaurants, bars and beer and wine retailers.

“I hear from a lot of people that our way of handling liquor is a barrier to having a thriving restaurant sector, which is a barrier to retaining our empty nesters and attracting younger workers to our community,” Councilmember Hans Riemer said Tuesday.

The OLO report would look at DLC’s process for selecting certain brands, customer feedback, how beverage licensing relates to the nighttime economy and potential options to increase efficiency and improve service.

“I came into the Council with a similar view, wondering what can we do about this, hearing the same kinds of concerns,” Councilmember Roger Berliner said.

Berliner said he sent DLC a memo a month ago asking it to look into a model in Pennsylvania in which there are self-contained liquor stores within a high-end grocery store.

Councilmember Marc Elrich said the DLC seemed interested in making reforms before the recession hit.

“Then they got constrained by a combination of what happened to our budgets and also with the big move they made to the different warehouse,” Elrich said. “I think we’re going to find that the director there has a vision for what can be different. I’m very encouraged by that.”

Both Berliner and Elrich mentioned how important the revenue component was. The DLC’s average annual revenue in selling alcohol covers its operating costs and is typically good for a more than $20 million contribution to the county’s General Fund, according to OLO.

“We get to do a lot of things with the money that’s generated from there,” Elrich said. “That’s an important piece of this.”

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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