AUSTIN (AP) – Tuition could be going up at the University of Texas at Austin.

A tuition advisory panel has recommended raising in-state student tuition by 2.6 percent for each of the next two years, to support current programs and improve graduation rates.

The panel, made up of students, faculty and administrators, on Monday forwarded details to UT President William Powers. He’s expected to submit his final tuition increase proposal to regents by December 15.

The panel’s recommendation would increase undergraduate tuition by $127, to $5,023, starting the fall of 2012. Tuition would go up an additional $131 the following year.

Nonresident undergraduate students and graduate students could see tuition hikes of 3.6 percent.

The last of three public forums on the proposal will be held Wednesday on campus.

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