INDIANAPOLIS -- While lawmakers attempt to hash out a state budget deal, the state's colleges and universities are delaying tuition increase decisions, waiting to see how much funding they get from the state.

The not knowing is tough for parents who have to make their own personal budgets around what schools decide to charge for education, 6News' Renee Jameson reported.

The situation is bad enough for parents with one child in college, but it's much direr for Julie Souers, who has triplets at Indiana University.

Students at IU currently pay about $8,000 a year in tuition. If tuition increases significantly, it will put a significant dent in Souers financial plan, but it's the not knowing is nearly a troubling at this point.

"We've made all kinds of plans ever since they were born 18 years ago to go to college and be able to help finance their education," she said.

Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis students are in a similar situation. The university said it hopes to keep any increase below 5 percent.

"We certainly understand their anxiety. It's a stressful time for everybody," said Tom Morris, vice president for public affairs and government relations at IU.

While the university will stay open even if legislators don't pass a state budget, at least in the short term, the tuition question is a growing concern.

"Those are things that range a great deal, and we don't know until the General Assembly completes its work," Morris said.

The university plans to release proposed tuition rates soon after a budget is adopted.

Plenty of students are in limbo when it comes to exactly how much state financial aid they will receive.

"It can be stressful. Just got to wait it out and just stay positive," said IUPUI student Byron Hubbard.

Ivy Tech asked for increased funding to keep up with its rapid growth, and there was some discussion of capping enrollment if they don't get the money they say they need.

Ivy Tech is considering raising costs $5 a credit.