Florida Atlantic University President Frank Brogan will apply to be the next chancellor of the state university system.

Brogan, in a message to FAU faculty, staff and students this morning, said he has been approached by many “influential” people to apply for the position and decided to do so after much reflection and discussion with his family.

More from The Post’s Kimberly Miller here.

A promise made to tens of thousands of Florida students more than a decade ago was shattered Thursday as lawmakers ruled that Bright Futures Scholarships would not pay for an increase in base college tuition next year.

The move was practically unthinkable in years before the current economic calamity when Sen. Ken Pruitt protected the program so fiercely. University leaders desperate to change the money-hungry plan dared not push it when the Port St. Lucie Republican ruled as Senate president.

Yet in the waning days of a dizzying legislative session for higher education, lawmakers agreed not to extend the scholarships to cover hikes in base tuition next year because of state budget shortfalls.

More here.

Students could pay 15 percent more for college tuition next school year under a bill headed to Gov. Charlie Crist.

The House gave final approval to the bill in a 115-7 vote this morning. Opposition included Democratic Reps. Joseph Abruzzo of Wellington, Kelly Skidmore of Boca Raton and Mark Pafford of West Palm Beach.

The Senate approved the bill (SB 762) on Monday in a 30-7 vote.

The moves annual decisions about tuition increase out of the legislature and to the state university system.

Opponents said it was a bad time to allow tuition hikes.

“Right now the people of Florida are having a tough surviving,” said Rep. Marty Kiar, D-Davie. “This is the wrong time to do this in the state of Florida.”

Rep. Will Weatherford, a Wesley Chapel Republican sponsoring the bill in the House, said it would give “resources and flexibility” to state colleges and universities. He said 30-percent of new money would be earmarked for financial aid.

“It is the right thing to do,” Weatherford said.

Crist sent out this statement after the House vote:

“I want to express my appreciation to Representative Will Weatherford and the Florida House for supporting the future of Florida’s state universities and their students and faculties. The vote today ensures these schools have the resources they need in order to achieve academic excellence. Students with financial needs, faculty members and researchers will benefit from these efforts to strengthen Florida’s 11 state universities and help them compete with schools across the nation.”

House Republicans have agreed to add $200 million to the budget for state universities, closing the gap with the Senate, where lawmakers wanted wanted to keep spending levels even.

The House proposal is now $3.4 billion for universities, still $95 million below the Senate.

The House also boosted its community college budget by $141 million to $1.05 billion. The Senate’s proposal is $21 million richer.