Higher college tuition in Conn. advances

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut's state universities moved a step closer to increasing tuition for nearly 100,000 students.

The Finance Committee of the Board of Regents for Higher Education approved the tuition and fees increase on Thursday. The board governs four state universities, 12 community colleges and Charter Oak State College.

For instate students living on-campus at universities, tuition and fees would increase next year by 4.1 percent, to $778, or $19,897 a year.

Community colleges would charge 5.3 percent more, or $188 for full-time students, to $3,786 a year.

Finance Committee Chairman Gary Holloway said officials understand that tuition and fee increases are difficult for students. Officials initially believed they'd have to consider a double-digit increase, which was not necessary.

The Board of Regents, which must approve the tuition increases, meets on March 21.