West VirginiaWest Virginia colleges offer older adults reduced tuition options
West Virginia colleges offer adults age 60 or older reduced tuition options if they meet residency rules and a course has space.
What it does
West Virginia colleges offer reduced tuition options to people age 60 or older who meet residency rules. Eligible adults may take courses for credit or without credit if space is available.
No-credit courses may cost up to $50 in tuition and fees per course, not counting lab or parking fees. For-credit tuition and fees may not exceed half the usual rate for West Virginia residents.
Argument forOlder adults who qualify could take college courses at reduced rates, including for credit, which may make learning more affordable.
Argument againstOlder adults may have fewer chances to join a course if space is limited and the college gives other students priority.
More detail
Each college governing board must set rules for reduced tuition and fee options for older adults. The options are for people age 60 or older taking undergraduate or graduate courses, including online and other distance courses. Participants must live in West Virginia or be classified as metro-area students at the college. A place must be available, and colleges must set rules for who gets priority. Colleges decide whether participants pay required special fees, such as lab fees, and parking fees. The law took effect June 8, 2026.
The law sets limits on tuition and fees for both options. These limits apply to participants in the no-credit and for-credit options. For no-credit courses, tuition and fees may not exceed $50 per course, excluding lab and parking fees; governing boards may change the maximum. For-credit tuition and fees may not exceed half the usual rate charged to West Virginia residents. For qualified nonresident students in the no-credit option, any differential tuition may not exceed half the resident rate. The limits apply when participants take courses under the options.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 29Chapter 173, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Mar 25Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/25/2026Major
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/25/2026 - House JournalMajor
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/25/2026 - Senate JournalBecame Law
- Mar 11To Governor 3/11/2026 - Senate JournalTo Governor
- Mar 11To Governor 3/11/2026Minor
- Mar 11House Message received
- Mar 10Completed legislative action
- Vote recorded PASSAGE-SENATE AMENDED HB. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 10Communicated to Senate
- Mar 10House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 381)
- Mar 10House received Senate message
- Mar 9Senate requests House to concur
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 9Title amendment adopted
- Mar 9Passed Senate (Roll No. 379)Passed Senate
- Mar 9Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 9On 3rd reading
- Mar 6Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 6On 2nd reading
- Mar 5Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 5On 1st reading
- Mar 4Reported do passMinor
- Feb 26To EducationMinor
- Feb 26To EducationMinor
- Feb 26Introduced in SenateMinor
- Feb 25Communicated to Senate
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25Passed House (Roll No. 186)Passed House
- Feb 25Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 25On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 24Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 24On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 23Read 1st timeMinor
- Feb 23On 1st reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 202nd reference dispensed
- Feb 20Do pass
- Feb 18Markup Discussion
- Feb 3To House EducationMinor
- Feb 3Introduced in HouseMinor
- Feb 3To Education then FinanceMinor
- Feb 3Filed for introductionIntroduced
Education