• Utah Valley State College — $2.3 million to help manage enrollment, retain staff and support new programs.

• Salt Lake Community College — More than $1.2 million to fund operating costs, faculty and staff compensation and library enhancements.

Tuition increases across the board hovered a little below average in comparison with the past few years. For UVSC it was the smallest increase in the past five years. But that doesn't mean schools are rolling in money.

USU students had previously braced for a tuition hike of more than 11 percent this year from the second tier alone and are breathing a small sigh of relief as lawmakers allowed the school to cut that number by nearly half.

The Legislature's decision to provide significant funding for fuel and power loosened the strap on some schools. The session brought the largest increase in state funding in almost a dozen years. But insufficient funding the past few years has left schools playing catch-up, especially since there has been no funding for growth.

The regents also increased general student fees an average of 7.4 percent or $32 a year compared to last year's 11.5 percent. These fees are charged to all regular students in conjunction with the payment of tuition and support various campus programs like student activities and health programs.

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