BOISE - The presidents of Idaho's five state-run colleges and universities made the unanimous decision to not ask the State Board of Education for permission to increase tuition above the state-mandated 10 percent cap.

While these university presidents do not plan on asking the board for a waiver to increase tuition beyond 10 percent, they say tuition will still go up for the next academic school year.

The decision was unanimous at the President's council meeting on Tuesday.

All five of Idaho's university and college presidents agreed they were not interested in asking the State Board of Education to waive the by-laws capping the tuition increase at 10 percent.

Boise State University President Bob Kustra says they didn't want to scare people about a tuition increase that wouldn't make sense in this economy.  But Dr. Kustra promises there will be an increase in tuition due to budget holdbacks ordered by Governor Otter on Monday. 

“We will have to increase tuition, especially what we're going through with the state holdback of the appropriated funds, but we certainly can do it more reasonably than a request to go over 10 percent,” Kustra said.

Students at Boise State are already concerned about the tuition increase for the next year.

“It's hard to be involved with everything and not be able to pay tuition and  not everyone can work and go to school,” BSU freshman Leanne Rawlson said

"Tuition is hard to pay for,” junior Blair Davison said. “Students like me, I'm paying for all of it by myself." 

Compared to other states in the region, Dr. Kustra says students will still get a bargain by enrolling at one of Idaho's colleges or universities.

“The only two states where you'll find lower tuition rates is Nevada - which depends on gambling-  and Wyoming - which gets considerable oil and gas revenue,” Kustra said.

When it comes time to discuss raising tuition next spring, Mark Browning with the State Board of Education says board members will weigh the decision very carefully.

"It's always a subject of very rigorous debate and the student is the end consumer," Browning said.

The State Board will meet with the presidents next April to vote on the proposed tuition increases.

Boise State University's tuition has steadily increased over the last three years.

Tuition for the current school year rose five percent.

During the 07-08 academic school year, it jumped 6.1% - and it rose 7.3% percent during the 06-07 school year.

Currently, the yearly cost of tuition for an in state full time student at Boise State is $4,632.

It's just over $13,000 for out of state students.