For two years, federal stimulus helped public colleges buffer the blow of the recession. But now that funding source has dried up, and many state governments are faced with tougher decisions on how they'll pay for public education.
Florida is a perfect example.
The state is cutting its higher education budget by 4% in fiscal 2012, and while that may not sound as extreme as some other states, that is almost entirely due to the loss of federal stimulus funds.
Florida's state universities received $140 million in stimulus funds last year, which won't be renewed.
To make up for some of the budget gap, Florida's state universities are hiking tuition 15% -- the third year in a row.
Annual fees at the University of Florida will rise to $5,700 this year, from about $3800 in the 2008-2009 academic year.
