Today, community college students begin registering and paying for fall classes. But no one knows how much those classes will cost except that it will be more than the current $11 per unit.

"We're all sitting back waiting as usual,' Paul Rubalcaba, spokesman for San Bernardino Valley College, said Wednesday.

The state budget will likely raise fees to at least $18 per unit. But the amount won't be known for sure until the state budget is signed. The fiscal year began July 1 without a new state budget.

With fees still up in the air, colleges have been trying to figure out what to charge students.

Some colleges have asked the California Community College Chancellor's Office if they could begin charging students a higher enrollment fee before the budget is enacted.

But legally, community college districts can't make students pay more then $11 per unit until the new fees are official.

So students will pay $11 when they register. When the state budget and proposed fee increase passes, they'll be sent a bill for the difference.

College districts are allowed to offer students the option of paying $18 per unit at the time of enrollment. Then, if the fee increase doesn't pass, districts would refund the extra money.

The San Bernardino Community College District, which includes Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa and San Bernardino Valley College, in San Bernardino won't offer this option.

District spokeswoman Donna Hoffman said it would be too complicated to manage.

The colleges have warned students that they will likely be charged more money later.

"We do have (a) disclaimer in the class schedule,' Rubalcaba said.

Increased financial aid could compensate for the fee increases for many students. But some district officials worry that some students won't pay the increase later.

"We hope students understand it's not us this is the state,' Hoffman said.