Topeka ? Rachel Bernard is glad she’s graduating in May so she won’t have to pay more than $600 extra per year in tuition.

The Kansas University senior from Lawrence took out a $1,000 loan this year because the scholarship she received throughout her college career no longer fully covered her tuition bill.

“It seems a little foolish to me to justify such a huge increase that’s so much more than other schools in the Big 12,” she said.

“I can see next year how it’s going to affect people.”

David Shulenburger, KU’s provost and executive vice chancellor, on Thursday told the Kansas Board of Regents that KU planned to increase tuition and fee rates by about 18 percent, or about $627 per year for a Kansas resident taking 15 credit hours per semester.

The tuition rate would increase to about $4,111 per year for in-state, undergraduate students. For nonresidents, the rate would increase from $10,686 this year to about $11,313.

The plan is tentative, with a formal proposal presented to the Board of Regents next month. Regents plan to approve new tuition rates in June.

Other regents universities proposed increases ranging from 9 percent to 20 percent next year.

¢ 6News video: KU tuition will increase again

Tuition and fees at KU increased by about $600 this year, raising an additional $8.6 million for the university. Officials plan to spend the bulk of next year’s increase on technology ($2.4 million), faculty salary increases ($1.5 million), new faculty positions ($1.5 million) and graduate teaching assistant salary increases ($1 million).

“They’re getting something for their money,” Shulenburger said of students.

Like this year, 20 percent of the increase will be returned to needy students in the form of financial aid.

Jonathan Ng, student body president, said administrators had been listening to student opinions about tuition increases and where the money should be spent.

He said he supported officials’ decision to use new tuition money to fund “enhancements” at KU instead of replacing cuts in state revenue.

“It’s remained consistent in terms of enhancement,” said Ng, a Leawood senior. “This is a long-term investment to the overall value of a KU degree, as opposed to a short-term benefit.”

Jason Palikij, a Wichita junior, said he wasn’t sure his education had been improved this year because of the tuition increases.

But Palikij, who studied Thursday afternoon at the Kansas Union, said he didn’t mind paying more for an education.

“KU’s tuition is really low for the Midwest,” he said. “Increases like that will help ease the budget problems.”