Statewide budget cuts to higher education has schools making changes. Since March, universities around the state have lost a total of $17 million.

To save money, Wichita State University is eliminating one of its free parking lots - it means more students could be paying for parking next year.

WSU has two free parking lots with shuttle service to campus. But the school says the state has cut more than $2 million of it's funding. To save money, it's eliminating the park-and-ride lot at 21st and Oliver by the end of this semester (Spring 2016).

"I'm disappointed in this change because this parking is really helpful for students," said Abdalhadi Alarbash, a WSU student.

The school says the change is because of budget cuts.

"We've lost $2.2 million dollars from our state funding," said Lou Heldman, WSU's Vice President.

And Heldman says leasing the lot at 21st and Oliver has been more expensive than expected.

"We ended up spending $170,000 repairing it because it wasn't really made to carry buses," he said. Heldman said keeping the lot would have meant additional repair costs.

Given the cuts to it's state funding and further cuts expected, Heldman said WSU is "trying to be very prudent" on spending.

"It seems clear from state revenue trends that we may be facing more cuts," he said. "Keeping a tight reign on spending is something we do anyway, but we're doing with extra fervor during these times of cutbacks."

The cost those of cuts could be passed on to students.

"I definitely don't like when funding is cut and I especially notice it when it directly impacts me," said Faith Hanna, another WSU student.

"We need to save money, and we need this parking lot," Alarbash said.

There is one more free parking lot at 29th and Oliver but students are worried it won't be enough.

"I could foresee not being able to find a parking spot in the only free lot left," Hanna said. "I think I 'll have to go ahead and buy a parking permit," she said.

The permit costs $175 a year.

"It definitely cuts into funds I usually use for books, and it definitely makes it harder," Hanna said.

The school is adding more parking. Heldman says there will be 400 new spots by the fall and 900 new spaces by the end of 2016. However, all of those spots will require a permit.

WSU also plans to add a parking garage in the heart of campus. Construction for that project will start in 2017.