POCATELLO - Students from Idaho State University boarded a bus early Thursday morning headed for Boise.

They are protesting the proposed cuts to higher education.

While most students are preparing for mid-terms this week a few are heading out of town. Ross Knight, Associated Students of Idaho State University President said, "We need support from Idaho in our higher education system."

Student leaders have already made one trip to Boise to ask lawmakers not to cut funding.

Thursday they're joined by a many more students. Tom Briggs, ASISU Senator said, "We don't have adequate funding now, and now they're talking about 15-18 million less? That's just unacceptable."

About 50 students from Idaho State University are leaving on this bus, and they'll be meeting up with others in Boise to hopefully make a different at the legislature.

Armed with huge petitions the students spent time talking with senators and representatives about giving more money to education.

They also took to the capitol steps protesting the proposed cuts. Briggs said, "That's a ridiculous thing to put the burden on poor people who are using this university as their only hope."

And it could get more difficult as ISU considers a 9.9% tuition increase.

That would bring the total increase to 127% over the last 10 years. Knight said, "We just need to look at where we're allocating our resources to make sure those are the best places to put them."

The students are realistic.

They know it's unlikely the proposed budget will be completely overturned, but they believe it's too important to stay silent on the issue. Briggs said, "If we believe in the progress of Idaho it's essential that we have access to Idaho State University, Boise State University, and also to stop cutting K-12."

The students are expected back in Pocatello Thursday night around 9:30 p.m.

Then they'll just have to wait to see if state representatives decide to make any funding changes.