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Bills’ Spiller has new agent and added role as KR

By WTOP Staff

JOHN WAWROW
AP Sports Writer

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller has finally settled on hiring an agent to handle his off-field needs entering the final year of his contract.

That should free up Spiller to concentrate on taking care of his on-field business, which will include opening the season at Chicago on Sunday with the added responsibility of returning kickoffs.

Whatever it takes, said Spiller, who is eager to reprise a role he excelled at during his college days at Clemson.

“It’s second-nature really,” he said this week. “It’s not like I’m stepping into something that’s brand new.”

Spiller tied an NCAA career record by returning eight kickoffs for touchdowns, including four as a senior in 2009.

He’s getting the nod in Buffalo because coach Doug Marrone doesn’t want to risk his two top returners — rookie Sammy Watkins (ribs) and Marquise Goodwin (neck, hamstring) — aggravating existing injuries.

“C.J.’s the best guy we’ve got back there,” said Marrone, who prepared for the possibility of using Spiller on special teams this preseason. Spiller had a 42-yard return in a 19-16 preseason loss at Pittsburgh on Aug. 16.

The timing is ideal for a player seeking to make a case to prove his value.

Last weekend, Spiller announced he hired agent Chad Speck to represent him. Speck replaces Spiller’s former agent, Gary Wichard, who died in 2011.

Spiller didn’t see the need to hire new representation until this year, because he was already locked in with a five-year contract.

Though the Bills have already contacted Speck, formal negotiations aren’t expected to begin until later this season.

Spiller doesn’t expect his uncertain status to become a distraction.

“I’m not going into the season worrying about my contract situation,” Spiller said. “I’m looking forward to those guys trying to work something out that both parties can be happy with.”

Spiller has yet to consistently play to the dynamic potential the Bills projected in selecting him with the No. 9 pick in the 2010 draft. After enjoying a breakout season in 2012 in which Spiller finished second in the NFL by averaging 6 yards per carry, his production dropped last year because of a nagging ankle injury.

He led the Bills with 927 yards rushing, but averaged 4.6 yards per carry and scored just two touchdowns.

The Bills have already made contingency plans at running back in the event Spiller doesn’t return next season.

Last month, veteran Fred Jackson signed a contract extension that secures him through next year. They also made a trade in May to acquire Bryce Brown, who is signed through 2015.

Spiller remains the starter, returns healthy and is expected to play a key role in Buffalo’s offense as both a runner and receiver.

“I know what I’ve put on film. I know what my value is. And I’m not going to let anyone degrade that,” Spiller said. “My focus is to try to put our team in the best situation I can so we can be successful.”

He also isn’t worried the added duties returning kickoffs will wear him down.

“I’m young,” the 27-year-old Spiller said. “I’ve got a long while before I’ll be having some wear and tear.”

___

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

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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