SHREVEPORT (AP) — LSU-Shreveport officials are asking students to help pay for athletic scholarships.Through a referendum set for the last week of April by the student government association, the school is asking students to increase their athletic fee to help pay for scholarships for student athletes, The Times of Shreveport reported Thursday.The university typically pays for the partial scholarships for student athletes. But earlier this year, that money was trimmed from the school’s budget because of state budget cuts.The fee would increase from $9.50 to $14 per semester credit hour and would generate between $280,000 to $290,000 for scholarships. That money would not be used to run the athletic programs, said Michael Ferrell, vice chancellor of business affairs.In total, since the cuts started in 2008, LSUS has $3.8 million less in its coffers.”We didn’t want to cut academic programs for athletic programs,” Ferrell said.Administrators hope the increased fee will cover the scholarships for students for one more year. The last time the fee increased was five years ago, he said.Doug Robinson, athletic director, said the money will help maintain a program that includes 145 students across six teams.- – – -Contact The Daily Reveille’s sports staff at [email protected]