MURFREESBORO - College students attending Tennessee Board of Regions institutions could see tuition hikes of as much as 9.5 percent this fall, according to the system's chancellor.

John Morgan said the increase is due in part to 2 percent cuts made in state assistance in the new state budget that goes into effect July 1. That comes to about $20 million.

Board of Regents Finance Committee members are expected to discuss the increase at a meeting set for Monday. Morgan said he expects the staff recommendation will be between 8.5 percent to 9.5 percent.

Morgan made his comments to reporters after a signing ceremony in which Gov. Bill Haslam signed into law new policies regarding use of lottery-funded college scholarships. Such scholarships can now be used for summer school. But the law also implements a cap of 120 credit hours for most students.

For complete details, see tomorrow's Times Free Press.