PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) - Citing likely budget cuts, Washington State University has stopped accepting applications for incoming freshmen at the Pullman campus.

Spokesman James Tinney said the usual cut-off date for freshmen applications is May 1. He said this is the first time he can remember that the deadline was moved up.

Branch campuses in the Tri-Cities, Vancouver and Spokane are continuing to accept applications, WSU said.

Washington State's Pullman campus enrolled a record 3,411 freshmen last fall. So far this year, the school has received 12,338 applications for fall enrollment. State budget cuts may restrict enrollment even further.

Officials continue to take applications from transfer students, but have stopped making enrollment offers.

Once WSU has more complete budget information, expected by May 1, the university will likely reopen admissions only to transfer students who have already earned their associate's degree. It is easier for the university to accommodate transfer students who already have two-year degrees, because those students usually have already chosen the course of study they will pursue, the school said.

"We believe it is important for us to let students know we have made this decision so that, if they have not yet applied, they will have time to make other plans," said John Fraire, vice president for enrollment management. "In light of the likelihood of budget cuts, we need to do more to control our enrollments."

The most recent two-year budget plans from the Legislature called for reductions in WSU's budget of 20 percent the first year and 29 percent the second. University officials estimated they would have to reduce enrollment by about 1,500 students over the biennium.

Admissions officials estimate the university will be able to accommodate a freshman class in Pullman of 3,300 to 3,400.

"We are trying to strike the proper balance between accommodating the growing demand for a WSU education and protecting the quality of the educational experience those students will receive at a time of limited resources," the school said.