 Minnesota State Colleges and Universities will see both spending cuts and a tuition increase beginning the 2017-2018 academic year. The budget cuts and tuition increase applies to both Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College. Bemidji State will see a 3.67 percent increase, which averages out to $240 per year for a full-time student. Northwest Technical College will see a 1 percent increase, which averages out to about $51 per year for a full-term student. Minnesota State says that the cuts and tuition increases are needed because the system received less than half the additional state funding from the Minnesota legislature than it requested to cover rising costs. In a release, BSU and NTC President Dr. Faith Hensrud says a modest boost in state funding combined with strategic spending cuts and our first tuition increases in years will enable us to continue providing high-quality education to students. Hensrud also adds that this kind of approach cannot be sustained year after year, calling for more support from the state. This is Bemidji State's second tuition increase in the past six years. Northwest Technical College has not had a tuition increase since 2012. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.