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Jets’ Decker, Wilkerson sit out practice

By WTOP Staff

DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The sideline was a crowded place for the New York Jets during practice Wednesday.

Wide receiver Eric Decker, defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson, center Nick Mangold and cornerback Dee Milliner were all in the trainers’ area working through injuries as they sat out practice. Wide receiver David Nelson also was absent because of an illness.

Decker is dealing with tightness in his right hamstring that limited him against Chicago on Monday night. He caught one pass for 19 yards, but then pulled himself out after being listed as questionable for the game because of the hamstring issue.

“He’s a durable guy and I think he’s going to do whatever it takes to play,” coach Rex Ryan said. “That’s why, hey, I’m confident, I’m hopeful that he’ll play, but again we’ll see as it goes during the week. This past week, it wasn’t until right at the end that he felt good enough to play and, obviously, he only got 15, 16 snaps in there.”

Wilkerson bruised his right knee on a play late in the Jets’ 27-19 loss that looked serious at first as he writhed in pain on the ground at MetLife Stadium. He expects to be able to play against Detroit on Sunday.

“I didn’t know,” Wilkerson said of his thoughts when he was hurt. “I just knew I was in a lot of pain. That’s why I was screaming.”

Mangold didn’t seem concerned about the shoulder injury that caused him to sit out Wednesday. He said his shoulder has “progressively” bothered him over the last few weeks, but expected to practice Thursday and play Sunday.

“We like Dalton Freeman, but I don’t want to see Dalton play,” a joking Ryan said, referring to Mangold’s backup. “I prefer to have Nick in there, and I think we will.”

Milliner has missed two of the Jets’ first three games after dealing with a high ankle sprain that sidelined him most of training camp and now tightness in his right quadriceps. His status for Sunday is uncertain.

Ryan acknowledged that he has been a bit frustrated by the inability of Milliner, the team’s top draft pick last year, to stay healthy.

“I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t (frustration) because there is, because you know the guy is an outstanding athlete and a guy that I think is going to be an outstanding player,” Ryan said. “And it just seems like little things, but it’s not. Those things happen and it’s certainly not his fault.”

Milliner echoed his coach’s sentiments, calling his injuries “irritating.”

“Came back from my ankle sprain and then my quad goes through whatever it’s going through,” he said. “It can be frustrating because I want to be out there on the field. Anytime I’m missing time, it’s frustrating.”

Right guard Willie Colon (calf) was limited at practice, while running back Chris Johnson was a full participant despite being listed on the injury report with an ankle ailment.

___

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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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