It’s been a record-shattering fall so far for University of Southern Mississippi enrollment.

Most freshmen enrolled. Most students on the Gulf Coast campus enrolled. And, of course, most students enrolled on all campuses, rising from 14,793 in fall 2008 to 15,301 in fall 2009.

With an upcoming budget crisis about to break, these records represent a necessary shot in the arm of tuition revenue, school officials argue.

Added enrollment at Southern Miss has generated an additional $1 million to $1.3 million in tuition revenue for this fiscal year.

Tuition and fees represent approximately half of the university’s $180 million education and general budget.