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Rutgers makes Big Ten debut against Penn State

By WTOP Staff

TOM CANAVAN
AP Sports Writer

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Rutgers will get a chance to show that the football team belongs with the big boys of the Big Ten.

The Scarlet Knights (2-0) have heard they won’t be competitive against teams in the Big Ten since the announcement two years ago they’d be joining the conference in 2014.

The Scarlet Knights will make their much-anticipated debut on Saturday when they take on Penn State (2-0) at High Point Solutions Stadium in a game that many hope will develop into a rivalry between the neighboring New Jersey and Pennsylvania universities.

Most Rutgers players have felt an increased excitement on campus this week. Quarterback Gary Nova has walked around wearing his headphones to block out all the comments about the Nittany Lions.

“I think we just need to come out and play our game and show the world what we can do because a lot of people were writing us off at the beginning of the year,” said Rutgers tight end Tyler Kroft, a resident of Downingtown, Pennsylvania. “I guess we’re starting to get a little more attention now being 2-0 and heading into the Big Ten, but I think we need to come out and play how we can play: fast and physical. Show the world that we belong here and we’re going to be a staple in the Big Ten.”

Rutgers was accepted into the Big Ten in November 2012 in an expansion that included Maryland. The move will add money to the university’s bank account.

However, many have wondered if the Scarlet Knights will be an easy mark in the new league.

Penn State coach James Franklin ignited a little rivalry this year, saying that Rutgers would have trouble recruiting in its own state against Penn State.

“I do think this game from a regional perspective is good for Pennsylvania,” Franklin said this week. “I do think it’s good for New Jersey and I think it’s good for the Big Ten and I think it’s good for both institutions. I think it’s going to be a fun game and we’re looking forward to playing it. But we have got tremendous respect for Rutgers, for what they have done on the football field and what they have done in the classroom.”

It should be interesting to see how he feels after the game. Here are a few items to watch on Saturday night:

STOPPING HACKENBERG: Rutgers defense has been pushed around in the first two games. It gave up a school-record 532 yards passing to Washington State in the season opener and 269 yards rushing to FCS foe Howard last weekend. It needs to tighten up against Penn State sophomore quarterback Christian Hackenberg, who has thrown for 773 yards and four touchdowns.

PENN STATE DEE: The Nittany Lions defense has given up 27 points combined in beating Central Florida and Akron. It will be facing a Rutgers offense that has scored 79 points in wins over Washington State and Howard. Running back Paul James has scored four TDs and quarterback Gary Nova has thrown six touchdowns. The Nittany Lions have allowed 94 yards rushing on 54 carries this season.

TALIAFERRO-LEGRAND: Adam Taliaferro of Penn State and Eric LeGrand of Rutgers will serve as the honorary captains for their respective schools. Both players sustained spinal cord injuries representing their universities. Taliagferro was hurt in 2000 but was able to walk again months later. LeGrand was hurt in 2010 and remains in a wheelchair.

BIG CROWD: The game has been sold out for weeks (52,452) and Rutgers has had more than 400 requests to cover the game by the media. An auxiliary press box has been set up. Representatives from the Rose, Orange, Capital One and TaxSlayer bowls plan to be at the game along with Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany.

RENEWING SERIES: Penn State leads the all-time series 22-2, including all nine games either at Rutgers or the Meadowlands. The Scarlet Knights started the series with a 26-3 win at Penn State in 1918 and also defeated the Nittany Lions 21-16 at Beaver Stadium in 1988. The teams have not played since 1995, when Penn State won 59-34, ending an annual run from 1982.

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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