Evers plans to dedicate about $50 million toward funding the tuition freeze for in-state undergraduate students, which has been in place since 2013.

UW System President Ray Cross praised Evers' proposal and his "commitment to funding higher education and the University of Wisconsin System."

"He understands an investment in higher education is vital to growing Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, improving lives, and providing Wisconsinites opportunities to earn higher wages," Cross said in a statement. "By fully funding a tuition freeze in his budget, Governor Evers is committed to preserving the quality of education critical to student success. The UW System helps build vibrant communities throughout Wisconsin and provides a tremendous 23-to-1 return on investment. We look forward to working with the Governor and legislators to advance our shared priorities."

Evers also plans to allow undocumented students who were brought to the United States illegally by their parents as young children — known as Dreamers — to pay in-state tuition to attend schools in the UW System and Wisconsin Technical College System.

Authorities have estimated there are nearly 8,000 recipients of DACA — the Obama-era policy halting deportation of Dreamers — in Wisconsin.