(U-WIRE) EAST LANSING, Mich. – A large increase in college enrollment is expected throughout the next decade, according to a report issued last week by the National Center for Education Statistics.

And Michigan State University officials aren?t surprised.

“We?ve seen a record number of freshman applications for the fall,” said James Cotter, associate director of admissions at MSU. “We?re experiencing, as with most other colleges, a greater degree of interest in higher education that results from a demographic trend in Michigan.”

The report, “Projections of Education Statistics to 2010,” projects a record 15.1 million students attend college or graduate school this fall. Because of a growth in the number of traditional college-age students, that figure is estimated to grow to 17.5 million by 2010. Cotter said he expects the trend in Michigan to continue through 2007-08, although he said the numbers might be lower than other states because of demographics and population. Public institutions such as MSU should see an increase in enrollment of about 15 percent by 2010 ? 1 percent less than private colleges, the report estimates.

The report also says women will continue to be the majority demographic on college campuses. It?s projected that women will make up 58 percent of the student body in 2010 ? compared with 57 percent today.

“I think women are succeeding more because they?re more motivated and more encouraged,” said Samreet Sandhu, adviser to MSU?s Women in Business Students Association. “There are more resources out there.”

But will that continue? With increased enrollment comes increased funds to higher education institutes. And with that comes the possibility that more financial aid will be needed, officials say.

The report estimates expenditures on higher education will increase by 29 percent in 10 years ? and that figure factors in inflation. An estimated $235.4 billion will be spent this year at colleges and universities. But some $302.6 billion could be spent in 2010. MSU financial aid officials say their university will be able to keep pace with those expected figures.

“I?ve been here 23 years,” said Rick Shipman, financial aid director. “And every year we give out more than the year before. The amount of financial aid we give out has been steadily increasing.”

Running out of financial aid for students is highly unlikely, Shipman said. He said federal grant money, such as Pell Grants, is budgeted based on enrollment figures. Federal monies also make up for funds the university has to dole out, he said.

But the increased enrollment could have a definitive impact on who is admitted to MSU, Cotter said. While there are no immediate plans to put a cap on enrollment, academic standards could be increased, he said.

“You?ll continue to see the university be as accessible to students as possible,” Cotter said.

Some area high school guidance counselors are also anticipating rapidly rising college enrollment figures. Lee Howell, a counselor at Haslett High School, expects colleges and universities will be willing to work closely with interested high school students. “The numbers are increasing and we?re encouraging students to apply early,” he said.