"I cant afford it, I'm a single parent, going full time to school," said Amber Bradley. Bradley's not sure how she'll make her rent and put food on the table for her six year old daughter Lily. "I'm trying to figure out how to support my daughter, going to the food pantry, to make sure there is food on the table."

Amber's feeling the rent hike like many others who live in the family housing complexes at UMass Amherst. That's why students set up tents in protest outside an administration building.

Last May the university notified those students of the 6% rent increase, and gave them until Tuesday to sign a new lease or face administrative withdrawal.

"Costs have gone up, especially energy costs. So we really need to be able to recoup some of those costs," said Director of News and Information Ed Blaguszewski.

Out of 300 units, all but four renters have re-signed their leases. Those who don't re-sign will not be able to register for classes next semester and will have a hold placed on their account. They will be able to stay in their apartment for the rest of the semester, but if they haven't signed a lease by the end, they will no longer be registered at the university.

Amber, a reservist who served in the Iraq war, reluctantly signed a new lease for $670 a month. Between school and parenting her daughter, she can only work 20 hours a week, which barely cover expenses. But the university says they don't want the 6% rent increase to push students out.

"We understand this can be a challenge and it's a stretch. We have worked hard to balance the university's need, and we have worked with student on payment plans," said Blaguszewski.