do i absolutely have to buy a parking pass or is there somewhere i can get away with it?

paying 200 dollars for a parking pass is insane to me. i genuinely dont have that type of cash unfortunately. i come every T/R/F and ive heard that people come 30 mins before their class just to find parking but cant even find a spot. because im premed, most of my classes are around ISA, NES, BSF, etc.

correct me if im wrong, but ive seen families come to those tours they do on campus and park at the MSC parking lot, and sometimes i come to campus on a Sat/Sun and id park there without a permit and wouldnt get a ticket of any sort.

would anyone know if the MSC parking is free, and if theres anywhere on campus i could park w/out a pass? any advice helps!!