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Purdue looks for confidence vs Iowa

By WTOP Staff

JEFF WASHBURN
Associated Press

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Purdue is making progress. The Boilermakers already have won twice — one more than in 2013 — and have beaten an FBS school, something they did not achieve during coach Darrell Hazell’s first season as coach.

Next on the list? How about beating Iowa on Saturday during homecoming to give Hazell his first Big Ten victory?

Hazell made no attempt to downplay the game’s significance on Tuesday.

“This is a big game for our program for a lot of different reasons,” Hazell said. “Being able to play a good opponent in our stadium – play them well – and try to get the desired outcome is huge. I think we’re playing with a lot more confidence right now. They feel pretty good about themselves.”

Since playing poorly in a 38-17 loss on Sept. 6 to Central Michigan, Purdue (2-2) performed admirably in a 30-14 loss to unbeaten Notre Dame and then scored the game’s first 25 points in a 35-13 victory against previously unbeaten Southern Illinois.

After failing to win a Big Ten game in 2013, including a lopsided 38-14 loss to Iowa, senior linebacker Sean Robinson notices a more mature, eager pulse to the way this Boilermaker team is performing. A victory against the Hawkeyes (3-1) would only boost the confidence level around Purdue.

“I think it can snowball when guys find other guys in the locker room and say, ‘I am going to put it all on the line,'” Robinson said. “I think we can have something special when we do that.”

After back to back solid performances, sophomore quarterback Danny Etling is closer to where he wants to be as a leader, although he is hobbled a bit after rolling an ankle against Southern Illinois.

“For me, I think it is just about getting more comfortable,” said Etling, who is 42 of 66 passing in the past two games. “The coaches have faith in me, and that really means a lot.”

This will not be an easy test for Purdue. The Hawkeyes have rallied in the fourth quarter twice already, coming from behind to beat Ball State 17-13 and Pittsburgh 24-20. And Hazell remembers last season’s 24-point loss to Iowa only too well.

“Iowa is a team that has been well coached for years,” Hazell said. “I have a lot of admiration for their staff. They don’t do a whole lot of different things, but they want you to beat yourself. They are not flashy. They are going to line up and run in the ball.”

But this is not the same Purdue team that could not handle the Hawkeyes physical style in 2013.

“We’re improving in every phase, and that is the key,” Hazell said of his 2014 team. “As long as we can continue to get better in every element, it will serve us well as we continue to move forward. I like this team’s closeness. They enjoy being around each other, and they are hungry.”

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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