Topeka ? The cost of going to Kansas University next year will likely go up again.

In the wake of budget cuts to higher education, approved by the Kansas Legislature, officials on Thursday unveiled tuition increase proposals.

The figures are for a resident undergraduate taking 15 hours of coursework.

At KU, the proposal would increase tuition and fees for incoming freshmen by 4.4 percent, from $4,839 to $5,053 or $214.55 per semester.

At KU Med, it would increase 7.64 percent, or $317.74 from $4,158.10 to $4,475.84.

The increase for the Lawrence campus will generate $7.8 million. Approximately $5.2 million will be used to provide a merit pool to retain outstanding faculty and staff.

At the KU Medical Center, the proposed increase will generate $1.76 million and be used to cover increases for faculty promotion, tenure, fringe benefit rate increases, increases in utility costs and to cover budget cuts.

In a statement, KU Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little said the proposed increases struck a balance between recruiting talented students and staff, and providing an excellent and affordable education.

The Kansas Board of Regents will approve tuition rates this summer.

The proposed tuition and fee increases included 2.96 percent at Fort Hays State; 6.5 percent at Emporia State; 6.7 percent at Kansas State and 7.5 percent at Pittsburg State.