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If the Legislature agrees, that will mean more scholarships at the University of Missouri-ºüÀêÊÓƵ, the university chancellor said. The increase “is just a proposal, this is the first stage of this, but I’m optimistic,â€� Chancellor Thomas George said.

Even without additional scholarship money, the increase could help make college education slightly more affordable by allowing public higher education institutions to freeze tuition next year — the fourth time for such a freeze since Nixon took office in 2009.

“This tuition freeze is good for students, families and our economy as a whole,� Nixon said at a news conference. “Because the less debt students take on when they’re in school, the more they can spend when they graduate — buying a car, starting a business and pursuing their dreams.�

The proposed increase would be funneled to four-year and two-year public higher education institutions based on performance. Each institution’s board would have to agree to the tuition freeze and lawmakers have to sign off on Nixon’s proposal during the 2016 legislative session that starts in January before it can become a reality for students.

As part of the proposal, institutions agreed that at least $9.2 million of that increase would be dedicated to science, technology, engineering and math, a concentration of fields known as STEM.

Nixon signed the performance funding model into law in 2014, requiring public higher education institutions to use five performance criteria to determine how much extra money they would receive when the state increases funding.

Higher education institutions also must implement criteria for job placement statistics related to a student’s degree or pursuit of a graduate degree under the law. However, job placement statistics as a performance measure may not be used during years when the state unemployment rate is higher than the previous calendar year’s rate.

This model of funding has been controversial, with some concerned that the criteria are too easily met.

In the current budget year, the Legislature appropriated a $12 million increased based on performance funding.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, said he would take a look at the governor’s proposal. “If it’s feasible, we’ll evaluate whether it’s a good thing to do,� Schaefer said.

Ron Chesbrough, president of St. Charles Community College, applauded Nixon’s proposal at a news conference Monday.

“This significant investment would enable Missouri’s community colleges to freeze tuition next year and to continue delivering the quality, affordable education our students need and deserve,� Chesbrough said. “We look forward to working with Gov. Nixon and the General Assembly to make this a reality for our students and families.�