GRAND FORKS - The state Board of Higher Education has decided not to give money to students attending a private school even though the Legislature approved that option.

The board on Thursday rejected a request by the University of Mary for a $150,000 grant to help with the school's doctoral program in physical therapy.

A contingent of Mary officials told the board that the money would go mostly to North Dakota students who planned to work in the state.

"The legislative intent was very clear … to provide incentives for more students to obtain doctoral degrees in North Dakota," said Myron Atkinson, a member of the Mary board of trustees.

Ann Burnett, the faculty adviser to the board, said teachers want to see the Mary program succeed, but not with public money.

"This issue is about throwing public support to a private institution and we, as faculty, are opposed to that," said Burnett, a North Dakota State University professor.

The university system chancellor's cabinet had unanimously opposed the idea.

Lawmakers had given the board the OK to decide whether to spend $150,000 for doctoral students at private schools. The Mary physical therapy program is the only doctoral program in the state, said Neal Kalberer, the Roman Catholic school's vice president for public affairs.

"It's disappointing for our students," Kalberer said. Mary students shouldn't be penalized for going to a private school, he said.

The money was part of a $1.4 million education incentives program, said Pat Seaworth, a lawyer for the state university system.

The board decided instead to give the $150,000 to doctoral programs at NDSU and the University of North Dakota. There was no discussion before the vote.

Mary is set to give out its first doctoral degrees in physical education in April 2006, with 26 students expected to graduate.

Without the program, many students would be forced to go out of state, said Mary Dockter, the school's director of clinical education.

Sister Thomas Welder, Mary president, was one of five people from the Bismarck school who spoke for the program. She said it is difficult for Mary to make the physical therapy program affordable for students.

Kalberer said the school will continue to seek public money, and might have a better chance in the future.