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Troy-Georgia Preview Capsule

By WTOP Staff

The Associated Press

TROY (0-3) at No. 13 GEORGIA (1-1), Noon (SEC Network)

Line: Georgia by 40.

Series Record: Georgia leads 1-0.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Georgia is looking to bounce back from last week’s 38-35 loss at South Carolina as it plays the first of three straight home games. Troy has lost its first three games for the first times since 1982 and a strong showing could help deflect criticism of longtime coach Larry Blakeney.

KEY MATCHUP

After giving up 271 yards passing and three touchdowns last week, Georgia’s secondary will be tested again. Troy will spread the field with four receivers, putting a strain on Georgia’s defensive backs, including freshmen Dominick Sanders and Aaron Davis.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Troy: Quarterback Brandon Silvers suffered a concussion in the second half of last week’s 38-35 loss to Abilene Christian. Dontreal Pruitt, who completed 9 of 17 passes for 99 yards in a backup role last week, would start if Silvers is held out.

Georgia: Coach Mark Richt predicts junior tailback Keith Marshall will “have some nice runs” after running for only 10 yards in the first two games. Marshall is still returning to form from last year’s season-ending knee injury.

FACTS & FIGURES

Troy’s loss last week was only its eighth in 80 games under coach Larry Blakeney when the Trojans scored at least 35 points. … Troy quarterbacks have thrown 150 consecutive passes without an interception. … Troy already has 16 players with at least one catch. That ties the Trojans with Texas A&M for the most in the nation. … Georgia has averaged 272.5 yards rushing in two games against Top 25 teams. … Georgia is 53-10 in nonconference games under coach Mark Richt, including 36-1 at home since 2001. … Todd Gurley has 15 career games with at least 100 yards rushing, including each of his two games this year. … Gurley’s 39 career touchdowns ranks second in school history, behind Herschel Walker’s 52 from 1980-82. … Knowshon Moreno scored three touchdowns in Georgia’s 44-34 win over Troy in 2007.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.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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