The tuition hike will total approximately $2.7 million, which nearly makes up for the $3 million state budget cut.

And, students will find themselves paying an extra $63 each semester.

Even during the summer, SFCC is not an empty place. For students, like Valesca St. Cyr, they are looking for good grades and saving green.

"We come here alone," said St. Cyr. "We have to pay for housing alone. We have to pay for all expenses. Some of us work work/study jobs."

St. Cyr says she eats out less and takes the bus more to save on gas money. But like plenty of others, student loans are the only option.

"Some of my roommates they pay their own way for everything, and it's really tough on them to get extra money together, going to school and going to work," said St. Cyr.

After a five percent hike on the spring semester, raising tuition six percent is not something that Santa Fe President Dr. Jackson Sasser takes lightly.

"It's a drastic thing for us to raise tuition because that could possibly keep students from attending the college," said Sasser.

According to Sasser without the tuition increase, SFCC would have to cap classes.

And while the tuition hike is not something that any student looking to save money wants to see.

"I guess it's important in a sense, but I wish they could find a mutual spot to meet for both students and faculty," said St. Cyr.