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H 515

An act relating to in-state tuition for non-Vermont residents who do not have access to DEI programming in their home state public postsecondary institutions

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kirk White

Vermont bill would offer in-state tuition to non-residents from states lacking DEI programs, using education costs as political leverage in the national DEI debate.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Education
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 515

Legislative bill overview

H 515 proposes to allow non-Vermont residents to qualify for in-state tuition at Vermont public colleges and universities if their home state's public postsecondary institutions lack Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programming. The bill essentially creates a tuition incentive for students from states without DEI initiatives to attend Vermont schools at resident rates.

Why is this important

In-state tuition is significantly lower than out-of-state rates, making this a substantial financial benefit. The bill reflects broader national polarization over DEI programs, using tuition policy as a tool to either attract students from certain states or make a political statement about educational values. This could impact Vermont's higher education enrollment, institutional budgets, and interstate relations.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional ambiguity: The bill doesn't specify what constitutes "access to DEI programming" or how institutions would verify compliance, creating administrative and legal challenges
  • Political polarization: The provision appears designed to penalize or exclude states with different DEI policies, raising questions about interstate discrimination and federalism
  • Financial impact: Reduced tuition revenue could burden Vermont institutions, potentially offset by enrollment changes or requiring alternative funding sources
  • Feasibility and enforceability: Determining which states "do not have access" to DEI programming is subjective and difficult to administer consistently

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

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