NORTH CONWAY, N.H. (AP) – Attending the state’s colleges and universities will cost more in the fall, but system trustees say the hike will be softened for some by a bigger financial aid budget.

University system officials on Thursday approved increasing tuition for in-state University of New Hampshire students by about 7 percent, sending the total annual cost up $1,175 to $17,985 with room, board and fees.

Out-of-state tuition will go up by just under 7 percent, for a total cost of $30,435. That’s $1,905 more than this year.

Andrew Lietz, chairman of the trustees, said an almost 19 percent increase in financial aid shows officials are committed to keeping the system affordable for New Hampshire residents.

“For some students with need, this action has actually reduced the net cost of attendance during this time period,” he said of the board’s financial aid increases during the past decade.

Tuition at University of New Hampshire-Manchester saw the biggest percentage increase, with in-state and out-of-state tuition going up by just over 8 percent. Total in-state costs went up $620 to $7,580; out-of-state went up $1,560 to $19,170.

Plymouth State University tuition will rise more than 5 percent for in-state students and more than 51/2 percent for out-of-state. Total costs for in-state will $718 to $14,436; out-of-state will go up $1,148 to $21,706.

Tuition will go up about 7 percent for all students at Keene State College. Total costs for in-state students will increase by $1,012 to $14,838; out-of-state tuition will go up $1,442 to $22,108.

Tuition for students at Granite State College will increase by $13 per credit, for a total of $208 per credit hour for in-state students and $228 for out-of-state.

Financial aid is going up nearly 19 percent, partly because of the new Affordable College Effort program covering all of the direct costs for neediest first-year New Hampshire students.

AP-ES-06-30-06 1350EDT