Michigan State University raises tuition, but covers its costs

Michigan State University raises tuition, but covers its costs
"Michigan State University will raise tuition by 1.2 percent but students won't have to pay the higher rate until summer.
Technically the tuition increase announced Friday takes effect with the spring semester. But the university will cover the cost, meaning students wouldn't have to pay higher rates until summer.
...The higher rates would have a freshman from Michigan taking 15 credits pay $4,721.25 for a semester. That's $56.25 more than this fall.
Michigan State raised tuition 6.8 percent headed into this fall."

What the heck does "the university will cover the cost.." mean?
Us taxpayers!!!!