TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) — The state Board of Education will allow Idaho's public universities to seek tuition or fee increases higher than the 10 percent allowed each year.

Trustees on Thursday approved waiving, for one year, a board policy prohibiting universities from requesting tuition increases for full-time students of more than 10 percent.

Financial staff for the board made the request to allow struggling colleges and universities more flexibility in planning budgets for the next fiscal year.

State universities and colleges, already operating with less money compared to last year, were ordered in September to cut another $15.2 million to help offset state revenue shortfalls.

Board president Paul Agidius warned school administrators that the board's approval of the waiver would not mean automatic approval of double-digit fee increases for students next year.