HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Corbett, joined by a dozen leaders of state universities, announced today that the proposed 2013-14 state budget will maintain funding levels for state and state-related universities.

In return for $1.58 billion in funding to higher education, university leaders promised to work to keep tuition increases as low as possible for their students.

The state universities include Slippery Rock University.

“Our message to college students today is that both my administration and the leaders of your state and state-related schools are committed to making the dream of higher education attainable,” Corbett said.

“We are working together to make a higher education in Pennsylvania both excellent and affordable,” Corbett said.

Higher education leaders joining Corbett today included presidents and chancellors of Temple University, Penn State University, Lincoln University and the University of Pittsburgh, as well as Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

This is the second consecutive year Corbett has proposed funding higher education, maintaining funding at its full 2011-12 levels.