TALLAHASSEE -- Florida college students can brace for higher tuition bills again come fall.

Florida House leaders proposed raising tuition by 8 percent next year at public colleges and universities as part of a budget unveiled Tuesday.

Most universities also expect to seek an additional “differential” tuition increase of up to 7 percent, said Frank Brogan, chancellor of the state university system.

The House proposal would reduce the state’s contribution to higher education by more than 6 percent, suggesting another year of budget cuts at the same time of tuition rises. Universities increased tuition by 15 percent in 2011.

“It’s really disappointing. . . . It’s not surprising, though,” said Michael Long, a New College sophomore who is the student member of the Board of Governors, which oversees state universities.

The Legislature previously gave universities the power to increase tuition by up to 15 percent a year until tuition reaches the national average.

“The alternative, without the additional student support, is grim,” said Brogan, noting the risk that budget cuts not offset by higher tuition would mean fewer faculty members and programs. “It’s almost become a necessary evil when you see a continued decline in base funding from the state.”

The Senate has yet to release a higher education spending plan. Individual members are resisting talk of additional budget cuts.

“I think it’s absolutely not the time to be cutting any education funding, whether its K-12 or higher education,” said Sen. Evelyn Lynn, R-Daytona Beach, chairwoman of Senate higher education spending panel.

The House measure would tighten requirements for Bright Futures scholarships, which are paid from lottery revenue, as part of an 11 percent cut to state financial aid programs. The proposal also would shorten the window most students have to start using Bright Futures aid, from three years after high school graduation to two.

And renewal of those scholarships would require better grades, too.

The spending plan includes no additional funding for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs. House members heard university presidents’ ideas this month on shoring up such programs, which are a priority for Gov. Rick Scott.

“There’s nothing in this budget for STEM,” said Rep. Marlene O’Toole, R-Lady Lake, who chairs the House higher education budget committee.

Long, the New College sophomore, said that while students understand universities’ need for adequate funding, state leaders should keep costs affordable or risk losing students to out-of-state schools.