(CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The University of Illinois Board of Trustees has approved an $8.3 billion operating budget for the current fiscal year. That marks a 6.2% increase. A $710.6 million state allocation is included in the plan.

The U of I System also reported record student enrollment of 97,772 for the fall semester across its Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, and Springfield campuses. Increases in faculty, additional mental health resources and program enhancements to keep students on track for graduation are among the budget priorities. The system also reports technological improvements and facility upgrades also factored into the new budget.

Resident base undergraduate tuition in seven of the past 10 years has been frozen, and the system reports two-thirds of undergrad students receive financial aid.