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Hawkeyes optimistic as fall camp opens

By WTOP Staff

LUKE MEREDITH
AP Sports Writer

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The uncertainty that hung over Iowa heading into last year’s fall camp has been replaced by stability and reasonably high expectations.

That doesn’t mean the Hawkeyes can afford to cruise through August.

Iowa has five starters to replace on the back end of its defense, including three linebackers that reached the NFL. The Hawkeyes also need to sort out playing time at running back, wide receiver and tight end, and the new starters on the offensive line need to be ready by the end of the month because the program’s depth isn’t what it used to be.

But the good news for the Hawkeyes is that they appear to have solid options at every position. The task for the next three weeks will be to settle on starters for the opener on Aug. 30 against Northern Iowa and beyond.

“This is a very, very pivotal three weeks for our football team,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said Monday. “It’s a great time for development. And we’ve got a lot of things that we’re curious to learn and curious to see.”

Here are five things to watch as Iowa opened fall practice on Monday.

NEW LINEBACKERS: The Iowa coaching staff has long been high on senior Quinton Alston whose playing time had previously been limited because of the presence of standouts Christian Kirksey, Anthony Hitchens and James Morris. Alston is expected to lead a unit featuring sophomore Reggie Spearman, junior Travis Perry and as many as four redshirt freshmen in the rotation. “Some guys just make you feel good,” Ferentz said of Alston, who struggled earlier in his career. “When you see that light come on or the switch flip a little bit, it’s fun.”

FREE LOMAX: Junior defensive back Jordan Lomax was expected to start at cornerback for Iowa a year ago, but injuries and the emergence of freshman Desmond King scuttled those plans. The Hawkeyes felt strongly enough about finding a spot for Lomax that they moved him to free safety though, and he’s expected to start there this season. Lomax, a 5-foot-10 junior, should be able to lean on senior strong safety John Lowdermilk as he navigates his first fall camp in a new position.

SKILL QUESTIONS: The Hawkeyes will likely split most of their carries between senior Mark Weisman and junior Jordan Canzeri this season. Iowa is deep and experienced at wide receiver as well, though rising redshirt freshman Derrick Willies could earn a starting spot over the next three weeks after an electrifying spring camp. Senior Ray Hamilton will finally get his chance as Iowa’s top tight end following C.J. Fiedorowicz’s graduation, but Jake Duzey will also get a chance to be a major factor for the Hawkeyes. “Ray Hamilton is a guy, in my opinion, that is probably better than we think maybe he is,” Ferentz said.

LINED UP: Iowa returns three starting offensive linemen, including All-America candidate Brandon Scherff at left tackle, and senior Andrew Donnal has been installed at right tackle after playing both guard and tackle a year ago. Redshirt freshman Sean Walsh will open camp as the starting left guard, and the Hawkeyes will be counting on Walsh to prove he belongs there because their rotation behind him is filled with untested underclassmen. “We’ve got to focus on the smaller details, because that’s what got us in trouble last year, with false starts. We’ve all got to be on the same page,” Scherff said.

EXTRA POINTS: Wide receiver Damond Powell suffered a sports hernia injury this summer, but he said Monday that he should be ready for the opener…The competition between Maurice Fleming and Sean Draper for the left cornerback spot might be the closest of any starting job in the program…True freshman Tyler Wiegers will likely start the season as Iowa’s third quarterback after Nic Shimonek left the program to walk on at Texas Tech.

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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