LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) – The University of Kansas plans to let freshmen decide whether to lock in tuition costs over four years or to gamble that yearly rates won’t increase dramatically.

For the last eight years, nearly all incoming freshmen have been required to use the tuition compact. It is intended to protect from sudden sharp increases in tuition by starting with a higher rate but limiting increases for four years.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports (http://bit.ly/1J8OPbH ) tuition is increasing at a slower rate than in previous years.

Beginning this fall, freshmen will be able to decide whether to sign the four-year deal or pay tuition yearly.

The compact sets tuition based on estimates of how much tuition might increase each year for four years. The projected four-year cost then is spread over eight semesters.

Information from: Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World, http://www.ljworld.com