LANSING (AP) - Eleven state universities would see a funding increase of less than 2 percent this fall while four others would get more under a Republican proposal approved Wednesday by a Senate panel.

The legislation - covering universities in the budget year that starts Oct. 1 - differs from a plan proposed last month by Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

The governor's proposal would give a straight 2-percent budget increase to the state's three main research universities: the University of Michigan, Michigan State and Wayne State. The twelve remaining schools would get varying increases, ranging from 1.55 percent to 3.86 percent.

The Senate GOP's budget bill, however, would give 11 universities a 1.8-percent increase. Grand Valley (7 percent), Oakland (4.2 percent) and Saginaw Valley (6.1 percent) would see much higher raises, while Central Michigan would get a 2.2-percent increase.

Senate Appropriations Higher Education Chairman Mike Goschka said even with a 7-percent increase for Grand Valley, the school's $3,371 per-student funding average falls well below other universities. Wayne State averages $8,603 per student this year.

"Grand Valley with this increase is still in the basement," the Brant Republican said. "I wish we could do more."

But Democrats said they favored Granholm's proposed formula because it recognizes the importance of research.

The GOP-controlled Senate Appropriations Higher Education Subcommittee also voted 3-2 along party lines to restore scholarships for students at private colleges. Granholm wants to merge the Michigan Tuition Grant Program with a competitive scholarship program for students attending public universities, gradually phasing out private aid.

The overall higher education budget is $30 million higher than Granholm's proposal. Goschka said he has found extra money, but he refused to provide specifics until Senate panels approve other departmental budgets.