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HB 5110

Amend section providing for waiver of tuition and fees for senior citizens auditing certain college classes

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Michael Amos and 1 co-sponsor

West Virginia HB 5110 expands and lowers eligibility for tuition waivers/adjustments to include residents 60+ (and certain nonresidents), applicable to all course formats.

Chapter 173, Acts, Regular Session, 2026
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Bill Summary · HB 5110

Overview

House Bill 5110 (2026) from West Virginia proposes to amend and reenact the statute governing tuition and fee waivers or adjustments for senior citizens at state higher education institutions. The bill expands eligibility criteria and adjusts age requirements to include certain nonresident students and lowers the age threshold for eligibility.

Main purpose and intent

  • Expand tuition and fee waiver/adjustment programs for senior citizens.
  • Include certain nonresident students in the eligibility framework.
  • Lower the age eligibility from 65+ to 60+ years old for participation.
  • Ensure applicability to all modes of course delivery (in-person, online, and distance education).

Key provisions and changes

  • Governing boards must establish a reduced tuition and fee program for senior citizens, with options for:
    • No-credit option (attend courses without receiving academic credit).
    • For-credit option (attend courses for credit, including undergraduate and graduate).
  • Eligibility conditions for either option:
    • Residency: participant must be a West Virginia resident or classified as a metro-area student at the institution.
    • Age: participant must be at least 60 years old (the bill lowers the current threshold of 65).
    • Space: classroom space must be available.
  • Administrative details to be determined by each institution:
    • How to prioritize class enrollment for eligible seniors.
    • Whether to charge special fees (e.g., laboratory fees) if such fees apply to other students.
    • Whether parking fees would be required for participants.
  • No-credit option specifics:
    • No grade or credit can be awarded.
    • Total tuition and fees per course/class, excluding lab and parking, cannot exceed $50 (note: the policy references a historical cap post-2004 and allows future adjustment by governing boards).
    • Differential tuition for qualified nonresident students may not exceed 50% of the resident rate.
  • For-credit option specifics:
    • Tuition and fee rates for participants may not exceed 50% of the normal resident rates charged by the institution.
  • Coverage scope:
    • Applies to classroom-based courses, electronic/Internet-based courses, and all other distance education delivery formats.

Who would be affected

  • Senior citizens aged 60 and older who are West Virginia residents (or classified as metro-area students) and wish to enroll in college courses, with or without credit.
  • Nonresident students who meet the eligibility threshold and are affected by the nonresident differential cap (not to exceed 50% of the resident rate for the for-credit option; and, for the no-credit option, nonresident differential would not exceed 50% of the resident rate for those courses).
  • Higher education governing boards and the administrative offices responsible for tuition policies and course enrollment priorities.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • The bill directs each governing board to promulgate rules implementing the reduced tuition/fee program.
  • It applies to all modes of course delivery, ensuring consistency across in-person and online formats.
  • The legislative history shows the bill passed both houses and was enacted in 2026, with actions including committee referrals, readings, and governor approvals, culminating in Chapter 173, Acts, Regular Session, 2026.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Potential increased access to higher education for seniors and certain nonresidents, reducing financial barriers.
  • Administrative complexity for institutions in implementing priority rules, fee structures, and space allocation.
  • Budgetary considerations for institutions given the substantial discount (up to 50% of resident rates for for-credit options, and a no-credit cap of $50 per course, with possible adjustments by the boards).
  • Equity and accessibility implications for nonresidents versus residents, and for courses with lab or parking requirements.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary for a specific audience (e.g., policymakers, campus administrators, or the general public) or add a comparison with prior statute to highlight changes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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