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Arizona attorneys appeal abortion-rule injunction

By WTOP Staff

ASTRID GALVAN
Associated Press

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court could have the ultimate say on whether Arizona’s new abortion-medication restrictions — considered the most stringent in the nation, but put on hold by a federal appeals court — should take effect.

State attorneys say they will ask the Supreme Court to overturn a temporary stay on the rules that regulate where and how women can take drugs that induce abortion. The rules also block the use of the abortion medication after the seventh week of pregnancy instead of the ninth.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in April issued an injunction on the rules while the case against them plays out in federal court in Tucson. But that case will now be on hold while Arizona asks the Supreme Court to remove the stay.

Bryan Howard, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Arizona, said the move by Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne was politically motivated and a waste of taxpayer dollars. “If you believe this is in the interest of the women of Arizona, well then go back to Tucson and make that case,” Howard said.

A federal judge in Tucson, where the case is being heard, initially denied Planned Parenthood its request for an injunction. His ruling was overturned by the appeals court.

Horne spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham declined to comment because of the pending litigation.

But Horne has argued that Planned Parenthood did not have enough evidence to show the restrictions were detrimental. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals did not agree with Horne, instead saying that women would likely suffer irreparable harm if the rules were allowed to take effect. Horne has also said the organization cannot prove that regulations would place an undue burden on women’s right to abortion.

The rules ban women from taking the most common abortion-inducing drug — RU-486 — after the seventh week of pregnancy. Women had been allowed to take the abortion pill through nine weeks of pregnancy. They also require the drug be administered only at the Food and Drug Administration-approved dosage and that both doses be taken at a clinic.

The dosage on the label, which was approved over a decade ago, is no longer routinely followed because doctors have found much lower dosages are just as effective when combined with a second drug, and women now usually take the second dose at home, avoiding what is often a long trip to a clinic.

Planned Parenthood Arizona has said that about 800 women would have had to get surgical abortions in 2012 if the rules were in effect then.

The rules, approved by the Arizona State Legislature in 2012, severely infringe on a woman’s ability to have an abortion, the organization says. Arizona argues that it protects their health by mandating a federally approved protocol.

In July 21 court filing, attorneys for Arizona argued that it’s likely the nation’s top court will overturn the appellate court’s stay on the rules and that it makes more sense to go there before resuming trial.

Follow Astrid Galván at https://twitter.com/astridgalvan

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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