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TUCSON - University of Arizona President Robert Shelton presented a new tuition proposal to the Board of Regents, ahead of today's scheduled vote in Tucson. The regents can accept what's being proposed, or modify it.

On the eve of the vote, students held a vigil. Some students in attendance worry they'll have to end their education because they can't pay for it.

They stood in protest, some in white shirts to signify peace, unified against tuition hikes and fees.

Alejandrina Barajas, a graduate student said, "They impact us greatly, because to us, that's the equivalent of a paycheck."

As they protested outside UA's Administration building, inside Shelton revealed a late day reduction to his unpopular proposal.

"We've cut mandatory fee request in half and dropped requested tuition down by $400 for Arizona residents," said Shelton.

That means fees at the UA will now stand around $350 dollars versus $700. In state tuition will hover around $6,800 versus $7,200.

Shelton's said student uproar and last week's video conference with all three universities swayed his decision.

"So we're listening to what we're hearing out there from students and backed off quit a bit for our original request," said Shelton.

Even so, that's little comfort for Wasilia Yapur who says any increase is too much for students whose wallets are already stretched thin.

"There has to be, has to be another way, and don't place a burden of the most financially challenged people at the University," says Yapur.