The University of North Texas Board of Regents is expected to vote today on a $668 million proposed budget that includes increases in financial aid.

The proposed budget features a 14.9 percent increase over the previous year’s budget, and a 35 percent increase in scholarship and grants funded through the university, according to the budget.

The board is expected to approve UNT’s budget, along with budgets for the UNT Health Science Center and the UNT System, when it reconvenes today.

The Denton campus will pump more than $6.5 million in additional funds to the financial aid coffers next fiscal year for students, but it comes on the heels of the board’s approval of a two-year increase in tuition.

Tuition will increase by $16.42 per credit hour, or $246.30 total for a student taking 15 hours, during the 2008-09 school year. In 2009-10, tuition will rise by $17.75 per credit hour.

The tuition increase is expected to bring $17 million in revenue to the university, according to the proposed budget.

When the board approved the hike in February, officials said an increase in financial aid would follow to help offset the hike. Thursday’s proposed budget shows about $25.3 million dedicated to financial aid.

Last year, $18.7 million was allotted.

UNT President Gretchen Ba­taille noted the importance of increasing financial aid to meet a rising need among students, during her strategic plan presentation.

Along with the UNT budget, the board also will be presented the budget for the UNT System. The budget has increases to allow for UNT Dallas to hire 18 faculty members and five staff positions.

DAN X. McGRAW can be reached at 940-566-6875. His e-mail address is dmcgraw@dentonrc.com .