Seattle University, the University of Washington, Washington State University, Pacific Lutheran University and other schools throughout the state have offered temporary admittance to students from Loyola, Tulane, Xavier and other affected universities.

Tuition payments would go to the displaced students' universities, and the students would be expected to return once the southern schools are operating again.

The New Orleans students are an "unfunded responsibility," said Bob Roseth, a spokesman for UW, which is accepting students although it's been turning away transfer students due to lack of space.

The university expects to hear from at least 50 students from New Orleans.

If UW has room for those students when classes resume this month, their cost should be incremental, Roseth said.

"One of the things we propose is, we could charge Tulane's tuition rate and return that money to Tulane," UW President Mark Emmert said Friday. "We think we have the authority to do that. And we think it's the right thing to do."

Emmert was chancellor at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, 55 miles inland from New Orleans, before coming to UW last year.

"We have so many friends and associates we are close to. We've been talking to them throughout this," Emmert said.

At least 41 students from New Orleans are expected to enroll at Seattle University, a Jesuit school that begins classes later this month.

The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is "painful to see because of the sense of people being desperate and lost," said the Rev. Stephen Sundborg, Seattle University President.

Washington State, where classes have already resumed, is limiting its offer to students whose permanent residence is Washington.

Central Washington University in Ellensburg is also offering emergency admission to displaced students - especially Washington natives - at any one of its six university centers. Students will still be required to meet the schools' admission standards.

"As an institution of higher learning, this is absolutely the right thing for Central to do," said Charlotte Tullos, vice president of student affairs. "With so many people hurt by this natural disaster ... Central has an obligation to help students continue their studies."

Meanwhile, Trinity Lutheran College, east of Seattle, is offering a year of tuition for up to 25 students already enrolled at schools affected by the hurricane. It will also make accommodations for room and board on a case-by-case basis.

"Trinity trains student s to serve as leaders in church and society, and we feel this is a way to demonstrate our commitment to that mission," said John Stamm, college president.