CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – It may be the beginning of July, but many students here in western Mass. are getting ready for college.

Students and parents are noticing that it’s getting harder and harder to fund a college education. This past June, UMass Committee on Administration voted to raise tuition for its students.

Max Page of Amherst told 22News, “Just like elementary school, middle school and high school is free, college should be free too. Public universities and colleges should be free.”

22News is working For you on ways you can save on college expenses.

First, consider attending a community college or a school that’s in state. Second, be realistic about your meal plan. If you know you aren’t going to have three meals a day, don’t pay for it, and third, buy used text books.

There are several websites where you can order used books for a fraction of the price.