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Ominous news about higher education funding across the country from a new report from the State Higher Education Executive Officer.  Inside Higher Ed has the details of what is coming when the federal stimulus money runs out next year.

In the 2009 fiscal year, state support for higher education fell by $2.8 billion to $77.9 billion, but an infusion of $2.4 billion in federal funds largely offset those losses. Absent a dramatic recovery that no one expects in the coming year, however, colleges and universities are likely to feel the brunt of the economic downturn in 2010 and 2011.

The report includes a chart of the change in higher education spending by state. North Carolina slashed state spending by 9 percent in 2009 . The report says states are already planning more increases in tuition and caps on enrollment.