It will cost more than ever to attend college this summer in California.

At the University of California, Davis, for example, summer school fees for undergraduates will increase nearly 50% compared to last year (from $85 to $127 per unit); in addition, students will have to pay a $172 mandatory registration fee. Similarly, at California State University, Sacramento, summer school fees will go from $107 last year to $146 this year, plus a $129 miscellaneous fees. U.C. Berkeley has also announced higher summer fees, increasing from $127 to $166 this summer.

These increases come in response to pressure to make up for the hundreds of millions of dollars that have disappeared in light of the state's budget shortfall. As U.C. Davis Vice Provost Bill Lacy explained, "The state budget is making things very difficult."

It is not clear, yet, if the fee hikes will shrink summer school enrollment. But, Lacy said, "We hope the fact that financial aid is available for summer school will moderate the costs and keep students enrolled."

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