Several university presidents visited the state Capitol to testify on the higher education budget.
Governor Rick Snyder has called for double-digit cuts to universities, but he says universities can recoup some of that if they find innovative ways to save taxpayers money.
Thomas Haas, president of Grand Valley State University, told lawmakers that universities have limited options when it comes to funding.
He says keeping tuition rates low also helps makes college more accessible to low-income students:
"Please remember there is a direct relationship between state aid and tuition. When there is more of one, we need less of the other," said Haas. "In the long run, the best way for you to hold down tuition is to put all you can into higher education appropriations, permitting us to find financial aid for our neediest students."
University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman said higher education institutions understand the budget challenges the state faces, but she also could not promise to keep down tuition increases if there are big cuts in state aid to universities.
