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Vikings WR Simpson appeals pending 3-game ban

By WTOP Staff

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jerome Simpson has appealed a pending three-game suspension for a repeat violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

Simpson confirmed Tuesday that he was absent from practice Monday to attend a hearing on his case at league headquarters in New York. Simpson told reporters he “just told them the truth” and that “the records and the facts show what happened.”

He acknowledged, however, he was unsure whether his argument would persuade the NFL to reduce or eliminate any punishment.

“I’m not a decision-maker with that, so I really can’t put a fact on that or point to it,” Simpson said.

Simpson was arrested last November on suspicion of drunken driving when his sports car broke down on a freeway just outside of downtown Minneapolis. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a trooper observed him with watery eyes and slightly slurred speech, but Simpson denied he’d been drinking.

In January, Simpson pleaded guilty to careless driving and refusing to submit to a chemical test, avoiding jail time and the DUI charge. He was ordered community service and two years of probation.

David Valentini, Simpson’s defense attorney, accompanied him to the league office.

“It went great. My lawyer said I did great,” Simpson said.

Simpson served a three-game suspension to start the 2012 season, stemming from a felony drug conviction for a marijuana shipment authorities found at his home in Kentucky while he played for Cincinnati.

Simpson signed his third straight one-year contract with the Vikings. He’s their third wide receiver, behind Greg Jennings and Cordarrelle Patterson.

“Until I hear differently, I expect him to be here,” coach Mike Zimmer said.

Offensive coordinator Norv Turner dismissed any concern about losing Simpson, the team’s best deep threat, in September.

“I just have a different take on those things. You have to have a varied plan. Unfortunately, in this game, guys miss,” Turner said. “If it’s a case where someone misses because of an off-the-field thing, that’s one thing.

“We could be in the opening game and someone we are counting on to play a big role sprained his ankle on the third play. We have to have a plan to go play and do the things we want to do. So, yeah, we have plans and there are certain plays that Simpson is really good on. There are other guys that have to fill in, if he’s not in for that play.”

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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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