Gulf Coast students are now having to pay more to attend college. Earlier this year, the board of trustees approved an increase in tuition that went into effect at the beginning of this semester.

Gulf Coast Community College President Dr. Jim Kerley says raising tuition rates 6% hasn't effected his enrollment, it's helped it.

"Our regular A&P classes there are our basic transferable classes, psychology, science, math classes, that's probably 5 and a half, 6 percent," Kerley said.

Students like Brad Breeden are now having to pay between $73 and $74 per credit hour.

"I can kind of justify because they have new buildings going up and all that, that's fine with me as long as it's getting spent right," Breeden said.

The increase comes on the heels of 2-consecutive years of cuts in college funding from the state forcing gulf coast to operate with $1.3 million dollars less this year.

Kerley says the increase in tuition really was no surprise because it's happening all across the state.

"We had budget cuts 2 or 3 budget cuts last year and it looks like we might have another budget cut this year so those kinds of things you have to do in these times," Kerley said.

Just like the state, students are trying to save a little money too on gas by enrolling in online classes. Those numbers are up 18%.

"Really moving forward at a fast pace, our faculty are very enthusiastic about developing e-learning classes," Kerley said.

Despite the tuition increase, Gulf Coast officials say they are in pretty good shape.

The increase in tuition was approved by the college's board of trustees this past summer.