After giving this a little thought:
Don’t spend ~10K on a VW unless it is a TDI. No exceptions. 2.0s are reliable, but get such poor fuel economy considering their power output. 1.8Ts get good fuel economy considering their output, but require extra expensive maintenance such as a very strict oil change regimen or else the head goops up with sludge and makes very bad and expensive things happen. VR6s have their own issues with timing chains and the fact that they usually came in cars that were loaded up with options that can go wrong in the future. They also can be pigs around town.
The TDI makes the most sense. It doesn’t have a pesky ignition system to go wrong. VWs diesels are proven. Travel if you have to for a TDI. Don’t settle on any other VW. I won’t ever again.
As for finding an AWD in your price range, it might be a little challenging. Large dealerships tend to put out cars that will stand up to a fairly tough inspection before they will retail it out to the public. They don’t want the car to come back for warranty work in that 30 or 60 day period. Since an AWD car has many more wear and tear components such as CV joint boots, differential seals, wheel bearings that take on more forces, there are more reasons an older one will flunk their inspection. They also typically hold their value well, especially around here.
Since you are young and going to school, you are probably better off getting something small reliable and good on fuel. Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Nissan Altima, Mazda Protege/3. With the money you save, you can go ahead and get some nice snowtires on cheap wheels for the winter months and be more confident in snow than an AWD with half worn all-seasons and still be ahead financially.