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Hillman set to make first NFL start Sunday

By WTOP Staff

ARNIE STAPLETON
AP Pro Football Writer

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Ronnie Hillman, the Denver Broncos’ speedy running back whose career has been scarred by fumbles, foibles and foul-ups, is set to make his first NFL start Sunday.

With Montee Ball (groin) sidelined, Hillman has taken snaps with the starters all week as the Broncos (3-1) prepare to visit the New York Jets (1-4).

“It should be fun. It’s a great environment,” Hillman said of MetLife Stadium, site of the Super Bowl, where Hillman was inactive for the biggest game of his career.

The third-year pro has waited a long time for the opportunity.

“Any competitive person, their patience is going to be tested when they’re not playing as much as they want to,” Hillman said. “So, I think that was definitely tested, and me being patient is paying off, just being ready when I’m called on.”

After the Broncos spent a third-round pick on the San Diego State speedster in 2012, a hamstring injury in training camp slowed Hillman, who ran for 330 yards as a rookie. He fell below 180 pounds by the time the playoffs rolled around and he was unable to keep the chains and clock moving in the Broncos’ infamous fizzle against the Baltimore Ravens.

Hillman was elevated to starting status that next summer after he bulked up to close to 200 pounds and Willis McGahee was released. But he had two fumbles that were returned for TDs in the preseason and slipped so far down the depth chart that by midseason he was usually a game-day inactive.

He was a healthy scratch for the Super Bowl.

Determined to bounce back from losing his grip on both the football and his starting job, Hillman again turned some heads at training camp this summer — only to again land in the coaches’ doghouse by the start of the season.

He was inactive for the opener and didn’t play in Week 2.

Before Sunday, his production this year read like this: two carries for 1 yard.

Then, Ball got hurt early in the second half against Arizona and Hillman came in and gave the Broncos’ grounded ground game a much-needed spark, running for 64 yards on 15 carries in Denver’s 41-20 win.

This weekend he’ll face a Jets team that’s one of the league’s best against the run.

Of course, with Peyton Manning at quarterback, the top priority for a running back in Denver isn’t so much picking up the first down as it is picking up the blitz.

“I think Ronnie doesn’t get enough credit for the fact that he’ll go up there and meet a guy and he doesn’t get rocked back,” offensive coordinator Adam Gase said. “I mean, for his size, a lot of guys think they’re just going to run over him but he’s got, for whatever reason, he’s got that power to be able to sustain his blocks.

“And the other two guys (C.J. Anderson and Juwan Thompson) are thicker guys to begin with and they do a good job of staying stout, but they have made so many strides,” Gase said. “And right now I feel good about where we’re at on protection and those guys being able to step up and block linebackers.”

Manning said Hillman’s heavier load Sunday won’t be just physical.

“When you’re the starting back and you’re running out there in pregame warm-ups as a starting back, there’s a different hat that you wear,” Manning said. “So, we’re counting on him in the run game, pass game and pass protection. There is no question he has a burst that is pretty unique when he gets the ball in his hands and it’s our job to give him the space.”

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

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Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton

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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