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Update: Thursday, Dec. 9 at 8:35 p.m.:

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A tuition increase at the four University of Missouri campuses appears likely in the coming academic year. The only question is just how much more students will have to pay.

The university's Board of Curators discussed a possible tuition increase Thursday in St. Louis. A budget overview provided to the board was grim, projecting a $105 million state funding gap.

Documents released Thursday said the university will "strive to keep (any) increase to single digit(s)," subject to state support.

The board typically sets tuition in the spring, after the governor releases a proposed state budget for the next fiscal year. Curators want to get an earlier start since they expect to need time to seek a waiver from the state to boost tuition beyond the Consumer Price Index inflation rate.

Original Story:

University of Missouri officials will discuss a possible tuition increase at a meeting Thursday in St. Louis.

The governing board of the four-campus system typically waits to set tuition rates in the spring, but with an expected shortfall of $400 million to $500 million in the next budget, curators want to get an earlier start.

That would give officials more time if they need to seek a waiver from the state required whenever tuition increases exceed the consumer price index inflation rate.