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5 free things to do in Iowa capital of Des Moines

By WTOP Staff

BARBARA RODRIGUEZ
Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Nestled in the middle of Iowa, surrounded by miles of rolling hills green with corn and soybeans, is the capital city of Des Moines. A metropolis that’s experienced a popularity surge in recent years thanks to new businesses and housing opportunities, Des Moines has plenty of activities that will be kind to your wallet.

EAST VILLAGE

The historic East Village district encompasses several blocks of businesses and restaurants at the base of the gold-domed state Capitol. There are dozens of restaurants and quirky shops that are open for perusing even if you’re not spending a dime. The Capitol, opened in 1886, is atop a hill offering views of the East Village and downtown below. The Capitol is open to visitors and there are regular tours. Nearby is the State Historical Museum, offering free exhibits about the history of Iowa.

FARMERS MARKET

Held every Saturday morning between May and October, the Des Moines Farmers Market offers local produce from hundreds of vendors from around the state. Located just west of the Des Moines River on nine city blocks in the Court District (a popular entertainment hub at night), the farmers market can connect the casual visitor to a plethora of food, drinks and crafts. It may be the delicious pastries or live music that draws visitors to the market, but it’s the people-watching and sense of community that keeps them returning.

SCULPTURE PARK

On the surface, the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park is a 4.4-acre (1.8-hectare) park on the west end of downtown with art pieces on display year-round. But the park, which opened in 2009, is also a representation of the city’s revitalization as a destination for out-of-state visitors. There are more than two dozen installed works of art, each with a range of height, size and theme. Using your cellphone, there’s also a free audio tour available by dialing numbers listed with each piece. If you’re looking for more art, the Des Moines Art Center is about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) west. The art center is free and boasts more than 4,800 works of art.

WATER WORKS PARK

If you find yourself full of food and culture, perhaps it’s time to enjoy the nearby Water Works Park. Located a few miles southwest of downtown, there are nearly 1,500 acres (607 hectares) of green space laced with bike baths that cross and border the Raccoon River. Those bike paths also connect to the nearby but more urban Gray’s Lake Park, which offers a 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) stretch of trail around a picturesque lake with the downtown skyline as a backdrop. Bike paths connect both parts to downtown, where bike rentals are available.

DES MOINES SOCIAL CLUB

Rounding out your visit should be the Des Moines Social Club, an arts and entertainment venue that opened its new headquarters in May. While the nonprofit has been around the community in some capacity for several years, its renovated space in a former fire department headquarters is another sign of Des Moines’ upswing. On any given night, the Des Moines Social Club is hosting several activities aimed at promoting the local arts scene. And while some of them include a small entrance fee, there are many free events at the club’s art gallery and black box-style theater next door.

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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