Gov. Charlie Crist approved a 5 percent statewide tuition increase for all public universities and community colleges Friday.
The increase, which is about ,55 more per student, will take effect this spring.
The extra money will allow universities to hire more faculty and advisers.
Crist also approved a technology fee of 5 percent per credit hour. The fee is not included in tuition and will take effect fall 2009.
In addition, tuition will now automatically increase based on inflation-rate increases.
Crist vetoed a 5 percent increase in spring but said he changed his mind because many students appealed to him for better-quality education.
The hikes were accompanied by a ,1.1 billion budget cut approved by the Legislature earlier this month.
About ,22 million in recurring state funds was cut from UF's budget alone, which was almost ,5 million less of a cut than UF administrators expected.
The Legislature had to cut back from its ,71 billion budget because of state revenue shortfalls.
