FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education has begun meeting to decide tuition rates at public universities next year.

Kentucky's public colleges and universities had been asking for near double-digit tuition increases to help offset cuts in state funding. The universities say they need additional money from students to prevent cuts elsewhere at their campuses.

The council's staff recommended earlier this week that some of the requested tuition hikes be reduced. Officials say they're concerned with the rising cost of tuition and whether higher education is becoming unaffordable.

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