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Metro new budget proposal tackles tough cuts

By Ari Ashe

WASHINGTON — With questions surrounding flat ridership and subsidies, Metro
General Manager Richard Sarles introduced an operating and capital budget with
no fare increases.

But the budget also calls for budget cuts and deferments. For example, Sarles
proposes eliminating 50 unfilled positions that were open in communications,
IT, finance administration, bus and rail. The agency hopes to save $5 million
from those cuts.

The budget would put off bus and station cleaning and a second emergency
response team, among other items.

Metro must make tough choices, because revenues are expected to drop $15
million, to $933 million, in fiscal year 2016, while expenses are expected to
rise $69 million, to $1.8 billion. To make up for that, Metro is asking the
local governments of the areas they serve to kick in $103 million more in
subsidies.

But from Montgomery County to Fairfax and Arlington counties, there is concern
about whether the counties can afford that.

If the jurisdictions were to ask for $15 million to be cut from the $103
million increase, then it could affect passenger service. Metro says it would
have to increase the time between times during rush hour 6 minutes to 8
minutes. During non-rush hours, the wait between trains would be 12 minutes
to 15 minutes; on Sundays, they would be up to 20 minutes. Metro also says the
crowded trains would become more crowded, especially at Rosslyn and Metro
Center.

But Sarles adds that service cuts are just one possibility if the agency
doesn’t get the full subsidies it wants. It could look at changes in
accounting costs or delaying some improvements for passengers.

Several key projects remain in the pipeline, though. Metro plans to still
replace the 1000-, 2000- and 3000-series train cars with the 7000-series,
although this would require D.C., Maryland and Virginia to commit before Aug.
1, 2015 to funding, over six years the purchase of another 220 rail cars.

The new rail cars would also help expand the fleet, so all rush-hour trains
would have eight cars.

Metro will hold public hearings in February about the fiscal 2016 budget.

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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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