Undergraduates in Maryland universities can breathe a sigh of relief after higher-education officials voted to freeze tuition for the upcoming school year.

The Board of Regents for the University System of Maryland cast its vote earlier today.

Gov. Martin O'Malley joined education officials in celebrating the announcement and applauding the creation of the state's first-ever funds dedicated exclusively for higher education.

The $50 million fund is believed to be the only one of its kind in the nation and will be used exclusively for the USM, its 11 universities and colleges  and the Maryland Higher Education Commission.