GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Grand Valley State University's tuition will increase by $298 for the 2014-15 school year, bringing the annual rate to $10,752.

The 2.9 percent increase was approved unanimously by the seven board members in attendance at the Friday, July 11 meeting. One trustee – Kate Pew Wolters – was absent. She was attending the funeral of Grand Rapids philanthropist Peter Wege, who died Monday.

The tuition hike follows a $120 increase – approved earlier this year – to the school’s room and board rate, which now totals $8,200.

This year’s increase is slightly smaller than the 2013-14 increase, which amounted to a 3.7 percent hike, or $376. Administrators said this year's tuition increase is the smallest increase the university has approved in a decade.

University administrators said an increased state appropriation helped keep the increase to a minimum. The university’s 2014-15 state appropriation totaled $63.1 million, up from $57.8 million the year before.

In a prepared statement, GVSU Board Chairperson Shelley Padnos said GVSU’s tuition rate remains “manageable.”

“We have increased financial aid, helping students borrow less, and we were able to keep tuition costs manageable,” Padnos said.

University President Thomas Haas said he applauds lawmakers for increasing GVSU's state appropriation, which tied part of GVSU’s funding to performance.

“The state is investing again in higher education and demanding outcomes, which serves Grand Valley well,” Haas said in a statement.

Brian McVicar covers education for MLive and The Grand Rapids Press. Email him at bmcvicar@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter