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Lawrence Okoye preparing for the NFL

By WTOP Staff

RICK EYMER
Associated Press

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Lawrence Okoye speaks as if he is hoping to win a contest for the Oxford University debate team. That very well may be next on his list of things to accomplish.

The rugby player turned track and field athlete turned football player has been accepted to the prestigious English educational institution, where he intends to study law, and has a spot reserved until 2017.

Playing defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers is the latest of his engagements and he’s given himself over to sculpting his body into a precision instrument for the football field.

“Training is different in regards to weightlifting,” Okoye said. “But there is a lot of carryover. It’s about getting winded and how well you perform when you’re fatigued.”

He has impressed 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, among others.

“He’s really playing with a lot better pad level,” Harbaugh said Sunday. “He’s playing lower, and the bull rush, right now, is a real strength. He’s a strong man with long arms.”

Okoye, who holds Britain’s national record in the discus and represented the country in the 2012 London Olympics, lost last season to a knee injury. He’s ready to make huge strides this year.

“It’s great to be back in pads,” he said. “It’s been a long journey. I’ve tried to spend as much time as possible working out.”

Okoye hurt his knee during an exhibition game last August and never made it back to the field until training camp.

Okoye grew up a promising rugby player through high school before taking up the discus in 2010. He turned his attention to football after reaching the Olympics final, where he placed 12th.

“I enjoy the collision aspect of it,” Okoye said. “Rugby was a big deal for me and football was a sport I could let loose a little bit.”

The 49ers like his raw talent at a position where injuries took a toll last year. Despite his lack of experience — his first taste of football was at a regional NFL combine — Okoye understands the level of commitment it takes to play at an elite level.

“I have a long way to go,” Okoye said. “If I’m satisfied, I’m selling myself short. I’m enjoying the whole process. It’s crazy, really. I can’t watch tape from last year, I wince a lot. I feel like a different player.”

He lined up for pass rushing drills Saturday for the first time and overwhelmed Jonathan Martin, who is learning a new position. He wasn’t quite as successful against eight-year veteran Joe Staley.

“That’s why it’s good to go up against the best left side in the league,” said Okoye said. “It’s all part of the learning process. It’s going to be tough but I expect to beat people.”

The 49ers currently list 10 defensive linemen on their roster, including six with two years or less of experience. Rookie Kaleb Ramsey is on the physically unable to perform list.

Okoye and second-year pro Tank Carradine lived and worked out together for most of the offseason, developing a close relationship.

“I feel like it’s a group of hungry players,” Okoye said. “It’s a bunch of guys who are willing to do the necessary things.”

NOTES: LB Aaron Lynch was activated from the physically unable to perform list and C Marcus Martin was activated from the non-football injury list. … OL Alex Boone remains on the did-not-report list as he continues his holdout. “It’s the life cycle of we’re in camp and we’re focused on the season,” Harbaugh said. “I think we’re at the cycle where that’s the stance we choose to take.” … CB Chris Cook, who signed as a free agent this season, spent the past three years with the Minnesota Vikings. “I’m not a rookie any more and it’s definitely better weather here,” he said. “I feel like I’m on a good track and I’m on the rise.”

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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