Lincoln University and the State Technical College of Missouri would get more than $1.3 million in additional state aid under Gov. Jay Nixon's proposed budget for the state business year that begins July 1.
"We are excited about the Governor's proposed budget," LU President Kevin Rome told the News Tribune last week. "We are in the process of developing our proposed budget scenarios for next year," so he doesn't know yet how the extra money will be used.
Don Claycomb, State Tech's president, added: "The increase proposed by Gov. Nixon is very much appreciated due to continued increases in inputs such as utilities, insurance and instructional needs, as well as salary adjustments.
"At State Technical College of Missouri, we anticipate applying the proposed increase ... to address these needs."
Nixon's budget proposal would add $55,789,147 to the state's funding of 12 community colleges, State Tech and 10 state-owned colleges with a total of 14 campuses.
During last Wednesday's State of the State address, the governor told lawmakers, "This year, we will strengthen Missouri's position as a leader in college affordability and quality.
"First, my budget includes an additional $56 million in performance funding. And with this historic investment, our public colleges and universities will once again freeze tuition for Missouri undergraduates this fall.
"They won't pay a penny more."
Nixon's budget plan also increases the state's investment in the A+ scholarship program, "to keep up with increasing demand," and in the Access Scholarships for low-income families.
"By focusing on affordability and demanding quality," the governor said, "we've driven a surge in college completion.
"Last year, more than 50,000 students earned a degree from one of our public institutions - up 36 percent since I took office" in 2009.
Nixon's proposed budget adds $1,041,764 to Lincoln's base budget, for a total of $19,942,556 in state assistance - a 5.51 percent increase.
For the past few years, LU administrators have been asking lawmakers to add into the school's core budget the state's "match" to federal money Lincoln receives as a federal land-grant university.
Recently, lawmakers added $500,000 for that match as a line-item in LU's budget, but Nixon - citing budget uncertainties - withheld the money, then released it in $250,000 pieces.
Rome said school officials still prefer to have the match in their core budget - as the University of Missouri, the state's other land-grant school, has done - removing any uncertainty of having and using those funds.
"We are very hopeful that Lincoln University will be given further consideration for our Federal Land-Grant matching requirements," he said.