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Top Spring Break Value Destinations for Families

By U.S. News & World Report

A family spring break should be the easiest and best value vacation of the year whether you’re looking for an affordable snowy, sandy or urban retreat. Here are great trip ideas for groups of all ages, interests and budgets.

Indoor Waterpark Escapes and Theme Parks

While southern beaches will attract an estimated 55 percent of college students this year, smart families don’t have to travel far or worry about the weather if they know where to go. For example, if you’re willing to ride the waves indoors, the dozen indoor waterpark resorts in the Great Wolf Lodge chain have rooms sleeping from two to eight and million-gallon water play areas with rides and pools. And though short stays at Great Wolf Lodge outposts tend to come attached to a hefty price tag, with the current 20 percent off promotion for two-night stays through mid-March, it’s easy to secure a bargain. Indoor waterparks are also popping up at ski resorts where you get two vacations for the price of one. Consider Camelback Mountain Resort in the Poconos; Cranmore Mountain Resort in New Hampshire; Mont-Tremblant Ski Resort in Canada; or The Mountain Top at Grand Geneva Resort in Wisconsin for last-minute deals, and keep in mind mid-week stays are the most economical option.

The new deal at theme parks is ticket pricing with meal plans combined. At Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, for example, the $99 entry fee includes parking, first in line access, lunch and dinner, and is valid for use until May 15. And at SeaWorld San Diego, a theme park ticket costs $89 including all meals. Meanwhile, in Orlando, which gets about 2.5 million family spring breakers each year, there’s a new $109 three-visit ticket valid at SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Florida, Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark Orlando and Adventure Island Tampa.

Warm-Weather Adventure Vacations

If you’re traveling with school-aged kids, spring break is a great time to learn something new. The Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino on the island of Bonaire has its own PADI and SSI dive facility whose professional staff teach all levels and certify beginners. In April and May, they’re offering a seventh-night free package with a two-tank boat dive starting from $891 per person; other Divi Resorts offer all-inclusive pricing, where kids stay and dine free, and each has a complimentary kids club for ages 4 to 12.

Florida’s Panhandle boasts sandy beaches on the calm Gulf of Mexico, an ideal place to try your hand at stand-up paddle boarding. Served by the Pensacola International and Northwest Florida Beaches International airports, the Emerald Coast is lined with hotels and home and Airbnb vacation rentals. Plus, large family groups can save on meals by renting a condo through Wyndham Vacation Rentals or Flipkey. For hotel amenities and plenty of free organized kids’ activities, the 2,400-acre Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is taking 25 to 30 percent off three-night stays through mid-April.

Ski Retreats

After a dry winter, snow is falling in New England. With 400 acres in Vermont’s Green Mountains, solid grooming and snowshoe, snowmobile and dog sledding excursions, Vermont’s Stratton Mountain Ski Resort is a good bet for all ages. Three-day weekday lift tickets in March start at only $129. And every weekend in March and April, one Vermont ski resort from Mount Snow in Dover, Vermont to Jay Peak in Northern Vermont also runs a pond skimming contest to see who can ski or snowboard across a thawing pond without falling in.

Plus, Lake Tahoe, California’s many ski resorts offer affordable rates, and with 23 feet of snow this season, ski conditions are priceless. Kirkwood, about 35 miles south of Lake Tahoe and Heavenly Mountain Ski Resort, situated on the Nevada-California border, discount their lodging by 20 percent through spring; two-bedroom condos at Heavenly start from $205 per night. And at Squaw Valley-Alpine Meadows in North Lake Tahoe, beginner lift tickets with limited chairlift access are only $39, and two-day advance purchase tickets are 15 percent cheaper through April 24.

Meanwhile, just outside the budget mountain town of Ogden, Utah, a $159 Ski3 Pass gives you three lift tickets to use any time at the gorgeous Snowbasin Resort, Powder Mountain or Nordic Valley. If it’s too much to sort through, let travel agents at Ski.com help you find last-minute deals, maybe closer to home.

Outdoor Family Adventures

You don’t have to fly to Asia to learn about Japan’s fascinating culture. The National Cherry Blossom Festival which runs from March 20 to April 17 in Washington D.C. has free cultural programs, a Blossom Kite Festival for kids and a pink National Cherry Blossom Parade on April 17. And best of all, Washington.org shows nightly rates at Georgetown Suites starting at $105.

If you’re traveling with thrill seekers, camping is a cheap and fun vacation option; commemorate the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary from April 16 to April 24, when all 409 parks and monuments are free and less crowded than the summer months. And if you have fourth graders at home, ask them to take you to any of the parks free all year so you can participate in ranger-led hikes and nature walks.

Before You Go

In cities where you’ll have to budget for major attractions, CityPASS ticket booklets that include no-wait admission cost about half the individual entry fees. Companies such as Target sponsor free museum and theater days each month in 21 different cities. Pick a destination with nearby colleges and universities, and double your vacation value by combining a cultural vacation with campus visits. You can also save by traveling on weekends after business travelers have left; Omni Hotels & Resorts, for instance, will take 15 percent off a stay of two nights or more.

Also, keep in mind that many areas affected by the Zika virus, including Caribbean islands and Central America, will generate last-minute discounts. Keep an eye on travel websites and social media, consult with a physician before booking — and you may just find the deal of a lifetime.

More from U.S. News

7 Top Places to Avoid Spring Break Crowds

8 Great Alternative Spring Break Ideas for Every Budget

6 Top Vacation Ideas for Active Families

Top Spring Break Value Destinations for Families originally appeared on usnews.com

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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