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A look at Sept. 11 commemorations in US

By WTOP Staff

The Associated Press

A look at events marking the 13th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks:

NEW YORK CITY

In New York, the annual commemoration has changed little over the years. But so much around it has. The museum now sits open at the site of the tragedy. The fences have come down around the memorial plaza, making it more easily accessible to visitors and passers-through. A new mayor is in office, Bill de Blasio, one less linked to the attacks and their aftermath than his predecessors. And One World Trade Center is nearly complete and set to open later this year.

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WASHINGTON

A few minutes before 9 a.m., Obama emerged from the White House with his wife, Michelle, and Vice President Joe Biden to observe a moment of silence marking the anniversary. He offered reasons for optimism in brief remarks at the Pentagon’s 9/11 memorial. “Thirteen years after small and hateful minds conspired to break us, America stands tall and America stands proud,” he said. He did not mention the administration’s new plan, announced hours earlier, to step up military and diplomatic action against a new upsurge in Islamic terror.

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SHANKSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA

Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert gave the flag that flew atop the U.S. Capitol on 9/11 to the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, saying the building might not still be standing if the plane’s passengers and crew had not rebelled against four hijackers. Hastert spoke at a ceremony in the field where the United Airlines plane crashed and 40 were killed.

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BOSTON

A commemoration was held at the Statehouse, during which participants read the names of more than 200 attack victims with ties to Massachusetts. During the ceremony, a civilian bravery award named after 9/11 flight attendant Madeline Amy Sweeney was given to Michael DeSousa, who left his car and rushed into a burning building to alert residents to a fire.

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MORRISON, COLORADO

Hundreds of firefighters and others paid tribute to the first responders killed in the attacks by climbing the stairs at Red Rocks outdoor amphitheater. Participants, some wearing their fire gear, walked up and down the steps and around Denver-area venue nine times. Organizers say the elevation gain is the equivalent of climbing 110 stories — the height of the Twin Towers.

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WESTVILLE, INDIANA

A large marble sculpture commemorating the Sept. 11 attacks was dedicated at Purdue University North Central in Westville. Campus Chancellor James Dworkin calls the sculpture a moving reminder of an event that must never be forgotten. The sculpture will remain on permanent outdoor display on the campus about 25 miles west of Gary.

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CLEVELAND

Former President George W. Bush said he had a “moment of clarity” while listening to a young girl read in a Florida classroom as his chief of staff whispered to him that the second tower of the World Trade Center had been struck by an airliner on Sept. 11, 2001. Bush says he knew that from then on, it would be his job to protect the girl, her family and their community. The former president spoke Thursday at a college scholarship luncheon in Cleveland, an event that coincided with the 13th anniversary of 9/11.

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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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