SEATTLE -- University of Washington students are learning that a big increase in tuition and fees could come with a twist.

There are plans in the legislature to divert some of the additional money away from higher education.

Hundreds of students took a break from their studies Tuesday to fight tuition increases of 28 percent over the next two years.

Junior Jennifer Revak has $14,000 in loans so far.

“We're already facing high enough tuition as it is. And facing even more our families are struggling enough as is,” Revak said.

It's not just tuition, college students all over the state also pay hundreds in building maintenance fees and they've just learned that house budget writers want to skim those millions in fees away from colleges and put them into the general fund budget.

Jake Faleschini leads the graduate student organization.

“It's a tax. It's a tax on the students to benefit the rest of the state. And it seems like a tax increase through the backdoor,” Faleschini said.

UW students pay a building fee of $313 a year; it raises a total of $7 million.

Governor Gregoire proposed the 28 percent tuition hike, saying the UW has the lowest tuition among comparable universities that prepare students to compete globally.

“It's clear we're the best bargain and I just can't afford it in these tough economic times,” Gregoire said.

State Representative Hans Dunshee said some of the maintenance needs the money goes to, can be covered by bonds. He is making sure the building fee comes back to the college so it helps professors keep their jobs.