Even as state lawmakers sent state workers their largest pay raise in decades this year, a decision expected Friday from the Board of Regents could force a decision between paying some faculty the raises they’ve been promised and cutting positions at the state’s public colleges and universities. 

In the wake of budget projections showing the state will have $251 million more than expected, colleges and universities are angling for more. On the top of that list is additional funding for capital improvements — massive, multimillion dollar construction projects that range from new, state-of-the-art lab space to entire new campuses. 

As rent prices increase, university officials are assessing where to allocate resources to keep attracting and supporting students.

Nearly $200 million in estimated federal aid will flow to fiscally beleaguered institutions and struggling students in the coming weeks as part of the massive $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, pending final guidelines on spending restrictions expected later this month from the Department of Education.