ATLANTA -- The price of college will go up 8 percent for freshmen entering the state's four-year universities under a plan approved Tuesday by the Board of Regents.

Under the "Fixed for Four" program the University System of Georgia put in place in 2006, the rates for current sophomores and freshmen will not increase next year. The rates for current juniors at the University of Georgia, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia State University and Georgia Tech will climb by 6 percent, while the charge will increase at a 4-5 percent clip at other schools.

"The System's tuition strategy supports the board's strategic plan, which calls for us to maintain affordability and access to public higher education," said Usha Ramachandran, interim vice chancellor for fiscal affairs, in a press release from the system.

The boost in the fixed "guaranteed tuition rate" is less than last year's 15.5 percent hike.