Gulf Coast Community College is filling the affects of the states funding cuts. They approved there budget for next year, and it includes a tuition increase.

The Board of Trustees at Gulf Coast approved a six percent tuition increase at there monthly meeting. The increase comes on the heels of funding cuts from last year and this year.

Overall the school will have to find a way to keep operations running with $1.35 million less next year. One way they said they could accomplish that is by raising the price of tuition.

They also voted to cut all operations by five percent across the board.

Dr. Jim Kerley, President of Gulf Coast, believes it's a rate they can live with.

Dr. Jim Kerley said, "I think it's one of those things we had to do, you know. You hate to raise tuition at all, but I think, especially in tight budgetary times, we have no choice. I think every community college across the state is doing the six percent and universities are doing more. Some up to 15 percent, so I think this is reasonable."

Dr. Kerley added that despite the increase in tuition, Gulf Coast expects a six percent increase in enrollment next year.