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Investigators release sketch in missing teen case

By WTOP Staff

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The New Hampshire teenager who returned home this week nine months after vanishing on her way home from school has provided investigators with a description of the man she says drove her away that day.

Attorney General Joseph Foster distributed a sketch of the man to media outlets Thursday. But he said it’s still not clear to investigators whether 15-year-old Abigail Hernandez was taken against her will or lured away, or what role the man may have played in concealing her whereabouts since she went missing Oct. 9 from Kennett High School in Conway.

Abigail returned to her North Conway home Sunday night, where she lives with her mother, Zenya Hernandez. The family has asked for privacy, and authorities have not provided any details on the circumstances of her return.

In a press release Tuesday, Foster asked the public for help in recognizing clothing that Abigail or another female may have been seen wearing in the vicinity of Abigail’s home between 10 and 10:30 Sunday night.

Foster said Abigail was 14 when she disappeared and apparently had no way to get about or secure food, shelter or other necessities on her own.

“The individual or individuals who were involved with her disappearance and absence will now have to face the consequences of any unlawful actions,” he said.

Foster said it is a felony for a person to forcibly take or lure away children under 18 who aren’t related to the individual. He said Abigail described a man with darkish skin, dark brown eyes, and black stubble facial hair; he was slightly overweight and slighter taller than her 5-foot-4 frame.

Prosecutor Jane Young, who heads the criminal bureau, would not characterize Abigail’s level of cooperation with investigators other than to say she provided the description of the man.

Abigail’s mother has only said in a brief statement after her return, and quoted by Foster: “Today we are the happiest people on Earth.” At the family’s condominium this week, maintenance workers shooed away reporters who came onto the property.

“We are all pleased Abigail was returned safely to her family,” Foster said in a written statement Thursday. “Law enforcement officers must now obtain satisfactory answers to the questions surrounding the facts and circumstances of Abigail’s disappearance and nine-month absence.”

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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