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Jaguars receiver Sanders returns from suspension

By WTOP Staff

MARK LONG
AP Sports Writer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Ace Sanders won’t get to ease back into football.

With rookie Marqise Lee (hamstring) ruled out against Pittsburgh and fellow receiver Cecil Shorts III (hamstring) doubtful to play Sunday, Sanders likely will see a heavy workload in his return from a four-game suspension.

“I don’t know what to expect,” Sanders said Wednesday. “I’m just going in, whatever they ask me to do, I’ll do it. If it turns out, I’ll be ready for it.”

Sanders missed the first quarter of the season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. He practiced Wednesday for the first time since Aug. 26. It was his fourth time on the field with the Jaguars (0-4) since organized team activities ended in June.

Sanders took a 31-day leave of absence in late July, missing all of training camp and most of the preseason. He returned Aug. 24, practiced for three days and played in the preseason finale against Atlanta.

He has been in meetings since, but unable to practice or attend games with the team.

“It could be tough at times, but at the end of the day, it’s only yourself that you can blame for the reason you were out,” said Sanders, who also was the team’s primary punt returner in 2013. “You couldn’t harp on it too much. Just have to look at some of the positive stuff. You actually get a chance to sit down and be a spectator and actually take what you see watching the game and remember that stuff when you get back to play. That’s really what I did.”

Sanders announced July 22 that he was leaving the team and seeking treatment. The NFL suspended him the next day without pay. Sanders said “personal issues” caused his misstep and added that he was dealing with “a lot of stuff, just with life and family and a lot of issues going on.”

He said Wednesday he’s “in a better place.”

Being back on the field made him feel even better.

“I think he’s in a really good place right now,” coach Gus Bradley said. “I know these last couple of weeks were tough on him, but it went fast for him and now he’s got a chance. I think he’s truly just looking forward where he’s at.”

A fourth-round draft pick in 2013 from South Carolina, Sanders caught 51 passes for 484 yards and a touchdown last season. He became one of 42 rookies over the last 20 years to catch at least 50 passes in their initial season.

He was at his best down the stretch, with 35 receptions for 302 yards and a score in the final seven games. The Jaguars are hoping he can pick up where he left off.

“There will be some natural rust,” offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch said. “Not just the rust, but you have to feel the game a little bit. … He missed four games and the preseason. This is his first game back. There will be some rust. We’re going to have to look at that and see what we can do to help him get going early.”

Quarterback Blake Bortles, who will make his second start against the Steelers (2-2), hopes to develop a quick rapport with Sanders — especially with Lee out and Shorts likely to join him on the sideline Sunday.

“Having Ace back is a huge help and we’re excited for him, excited to have him back out there practicing,” Bortles said. “I look forward to seeing what he can do. … From watching him run routes last year on film, he does a great job running routes, getting open, he’s smart. I look forward to throwing him the football.”

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

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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