The University of Kansas is asking the state for an additional $4.5 million for its medical school in Wichita.

Kansas Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little told the Board of Regents Wednesday the university wants to double class sizes at the Wichita school and fund physicians for the faculty.

Doug Girod, executive vice chancellor for the Kansas Medical Center, said the university is hopeful it will get the funding because it is for a specific purpose. Earlier this year, state lawmakers cut nearly $4 million from the University of Kansas budget.

The Wichita Eagle reports if the money is approved, it would expand the Wichita program to 56 first- and second-year students, beginning in 2016 or 2017.