Tuition is going up across the UNC System, but those revenues may not go towards improving the campuses.

The tuition hike at all 16 campuses are legislatively mandated so the revenues from the increase would flow directly into the state's general fund. They would not go towards the universities the way a campus-initiated tuition increase would.

Erskine Bowles, UNC System President, said he will propose an alternative plan to the General Assembly that would allow each university to use the money for themselves.

"I don't know if they'll approve it or not," said Bowles. "It will depend on the finances of the state when we get to that time."

Bowles will recommend at least half of new tuition revenues be earmarked for need-based financial aid, something every university has seen an increased demand for. At UNC-Chapel Hill, for example, it's up 23 percent.

"We're planning to use at least 50 percent of the money for need based aid and the other funds would go for the same purposes we normally use for tuition, (like) student retention and services." said Holden Thorp, UNC Chancellor.

But if the money goes into the state's general fund instead, it can be used for any purpose lawmakers deem necessary, not just for universities. That doesn't sit well with some students.

"I don't think my money should go to the state," said Lauren Mosteller, UNC Junior. "I'm not paying the state, I'm paying the university for my education so I feel like the money should directly benefit me and UNC in some way."

Bowles said if the UNC System doesn't get the money back, it could mean problems for some campuses who rely on funds from tuition and the General Assembly.

"That's the vast majority of funds and for some smaller campuses, it's about 90, 95, 99 percent in some cases because they don't have private donations," said Bowles.

What's next

Each university in the UNC System will turn in their tuition increase proposals by January 2010. The Board of Governors will then take a vote on whether to approve them. The General Assembly will have the final say when it reconvenes in May.