HARRISBURG — Students in Pennsylvania’s large public university system will have to dig a little deeper next year, following board approval of a 3.5 percent tuition increase.

The new rates enacted Thursday will bump tuition for in-state, full-time students in the State System of Higher Education by about $250 for the coming school year.

The system’s board is trying to plug a $72 million hole in its budget during a period of falling enrollment.

The system, which includes Slippery Rock Unviersity, operates 14 universities across the state.