LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — It appears the University of Nebraska’s tuition freeze will melt next year.

A tuition increase was broached Friday at a University of Nebraska Board of Regents meeting.

Chris Kabourek, NU’s director of budget and planning, told the board that a 3 percent increase in state aid proposed by the Legislature would allow the university to cover most of its ongoing expenses, but a modest tuition increase would be necessary to fully fund its operations.

The tuition freeze was part of a 2012 deal with the Nebraska Legislature. It provides a 4 percent increase in state appropriations in exchange for keeping tuition rates flat for Nebraska students.

But after taking office in January, Gov. Pete Ricketts proposed a lesser 3 percent increase.