Associated Press – According to the Center for the Study of Education Policy, states cut funding for higher education by 8% last year due to the economic slowdown and reduced tax revenue. When federal stimulus money is removed from the equation, states cut funding by 4%. Total cuts across the country amount to $6 billion. This adds to a funding crisis in higher education, in which nearly every state cut funding and public universities are expected to increase class size and decrease course offerings. The most severe budget cut came in New Hampshire (41%), with the least severe in North Carolina (1%). Nine states did not cut higher education funding in the past year. For more, read State Higher Education Spending Sees Big Decline.