Got college bills? Here’s where to get some help

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Paying for a college education can be a heavy lift for anyone, but local women who have already graduated from college, members of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), are waiting to give you a boost.

Members of the association have raised tens of thousands of dollars to give away in the form of scholarships, loans and grants. You could be handed a check for $5,000 or more.

Let’s cut to the chase right now. Head to aauwbuffalo.org/scholarships-loans-and-grants/ to see if you qualify. The deadline to apply — Feb. 19, 2025 — is approaching quickly. Applications are open to students living or studying in Western New York.

In some cases, you’ll need to demonstrate financial need, but most scholarships are based on merit: how well you are doing in school and, beyond the classroom, how much help you are giving to your community or others.

This scholarship money is raised primarily by the annual AAUW Used Book Sale, scheduled this year for May 28 through June 1. Volunteers are currently collecting and sorting books as they are donated for the sale, which takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and from 10 a.m. to noon on the first Saturday of each month at 37 Anderson Road in Cheektowaga, near the Walden Galleria.

Since 2009, the AAUW Buffalo branch has done me the great honor of presenting a $5,000 scholarship in my name. This year, there will be two $5,000 Jacquie Walker scholarships given in recognition of student academic achievement and community service.

The Book Sale proceeds enable members of the AAUW to lend a helping hand to Western New York students, broaden their opportunities and support community projects and programs.

Find more information about AAUW here.

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Jacquie Walker is an award-winning anchor and reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 1983. See more of her work here.

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