JUNEAU -- An official with the University of Alaska Southeast says the priority for the university is to retain student numbers.

Joe Nelson, the chancellor for enrollment management, says UAS is offering an incentive for students to increase credits from 12 to 15 a semester by providing $500 in financial aid.

KINY says the incentives are for sophomores, juniors and seniors.

At last count UAS had about 150 students at the 15-credit level and Nelson says there is room for about 100 more.