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MaKayla Otterstrom, a junior at UM, used to skip out on buying textbooks for classes or shared them with friends because they cost too much, as much as $700 one semester. She even took six months off school to save up money one time because books and tuition get expensive.

In late August, she learned she was the recipient of a scholarship from the book fund.

"For me, it was actually almost a godsend," Otterstrom said. "I don't have any help from my parents, and I get all of my money from the work study that I do."

She saves money from her work in the summer and during breaks to buy books. This year, Otterstrom, who grew up in Montana, can put that money toward groceries or rent instead.

In the past, she worked 36 hours a week in addition to going to school in order to try to afford college, but she learned her lesson. She earned C's and has to redo a couple of her classes. Now, she works 14 or 15 hours a week at the most, and her job at the information technology department is flexible.

"Last semester, I was able to make the dean's list," said Otterstrom, an elementary education major.