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Warren running for president? ‘I don’t think so’

By WTOP Staff

KEN THOMAS
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren tends to stick to the script when she’s asked about a potential 2016 presidential campaign: “I am not running for president.” So her latest response has touched off new speculation about her future.

When asked if she will run in 2016, the first-term Democrat and liberal favorite told People magazine, “I don’t think so.”

In the unsettled early presidential derby, that’s a notable shift, and it has the political world abuzz. Former first lady, senator and secretary of state Hillary Rodham Clinton is considering a bid and is seen as the early would-be favorite. But Warren’s populist views have made her a popular alternative in hypothetical matchups.

But Warren’s team said Thursday that people shouldn’t read much into her comments. “Nothing has changed,” said Warren spokeswoman Lacey Rose.

The first-term senator, a former Harvard Law professor, also said in the People interview released Wednesday that “if there’s any lesson I’ve learned in the last five years, it’s don’t be so sure about what lies ahead. There are amazing doors that could open.”

Warren has been a leading voice in the Senate on curbing Wall Street excess, allowing college students to refinance their loans and protecting Social Security and Medicare.

Warren has said repeatedly that she’s not running for president. In the interview, she said of her relationship with Clinton, “We have talked. It’s not much more than that. Not much more.”

The senator has played an active role on the campaign trail this year, helping fellow Democrats like Minnesota Sen. Al Franken, Colorado Sen. Mark Udall and Iowa Senate candidate Bruce Braley. Her appearances in Iowa last weekend drew enthusiastic crowds of people wearing T-shirts or stickers that said “Elizabeth Warren for President” or “Run Liz Run.”

The timing offers some parallels to President Barack Obama, who said for much of 2006 that he would serve out his full six-year Senate term. In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” — on Oct. 22, 2006 — Obama opened the door to a 2008 presidential bid, saying he had “thought about the possibility” because of the positive response from fellow Democrats.

Obama defeated Clinton in the 2008 primary campaign.

Warren is scheduled to campaign Saturday in New Hampshire, home of the nation’s first presidential primary, with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H. Shaheen faces former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, a Republican, who moved to the state after he was defeated by Warren in 2012.

Some liberal groups said the interest in Warren’s future shows how much her economic message resonates.

“I believe Sen. Warren when she says she’s not running, but things certainly could change,” said Roger Hickey, co-founder of the Campaign for America’s Future, which Warren addressed in May. “If Hillary Clinton campaigns in a rightward direction on foreign policy or on economic issues or if Secretary Clinton decides not to run or stumbles badly, then there would be enormous support for Warren getting into the campaign.”

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Follow Ken Thomas on Twitter at https://twitter.com/KThomasDC

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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