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RALEIGH — As the economy has struggled over the past few years, so has the higher education system in North Carolina.

Both the University of North Carolina and community college systems have felt the pinch from leaders who have struggled to balance the state spending plan. Finding the necessary funding to keep higher education strong in the state is getting tougher every year.

“We hope we're at the bottom and have the opportunity to take 2012 to better absorb and adjust to what we have lost in the past and begin to focus on the future. Because we think the future is bright at the University of North Carolina,” said UNC System President Tom Ross.

Ross oversees the 17-campus UNC System. He said he is sensitive to the fact budget cuts over the past three years from the state level have meant tuition increases for his students and families. However, Ross said this has been a necessary sacrifice to keep the UNC System strong.

“As my predecessor used to say, low tuition, plus low quality is no bargain,” said Ross.

The other higher education campuses say the pinch has been a bit harder for them. North Carolina's Community College System has seen a 30 percent increase over the past couple of years, while seeing less funding from the state.

“While I don't think we are out of the economics woods, I don't think we have the trepidation going into this year that we had last year,” said said N.C. Community College System President Scott Ralls.

Ralls said economic forecasts and campus trends, indicate the worst might be over financially for community colleges.

Both higher education leaders say they are not expecting a windfall of money from lawmakers when they return to Raleigh in May, yet believe the big cuts they have been experiencing could soon be a thing of the past.