HARRISBURG — The state system of higher education is requesting an $8.6 million increase in its state appropriation for 2012-13.

The system board of governors Thursday submitted a request for around $421 million, an increase of 2.1 percent. One third of the system’s funding comes from a state appropriation.

Kenn Marshall, a state system spokesman, said the system would not know what its appropriation would be until a state budget was passed. The budget deadline is June 30, 2012. Tuition will be decided later.

“Obviously, things could change between now and when the budget is finished. This is where we stand as of today,” Marshall said.

Marshall said the increase accounts for projected inflation and uncertainty going into next year surrounding the cost of health care, retirement and utilities.

Additionally, the state system still is negotiating contracts with six of its eight unions. Contract negotiations for the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, which covers clerical and maintenance workers in the system, and the Pennsylvania Doctors Alliance, which covers doctors who work at campus medical centers, are done.

The state system of higher education has 14 universities, including Slippery Rock University.

State appropriation for this year was around $412 million with a tuition of $6,240 for in-state students.