Higher ed. institution; eligibility for in-state tuition for citizens of fed. recognized Va. tribes.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's status as 'Enacted' is noted in the metadata but not reflected in its current legislative stage of being left in committee. This discrepancy needs clarification.

Making College Tuition Cheaper for Virginia Tribe Members

This bill makes students who are members of federally recognized Virginia tribes eligible for in-state tuition rates at Virginia colleges and universities, both for undergraduate and graduate programs.

What This Bill Does

• Allows any student from a federally recognized Virginia tribe to pay the same tuition as Virginia residents if they are enrolled in an undergraduate program.
• Permits public college boards to charge in-state tuition to students from federally recognized Virginia tribes who are in graduate or professional degree programs.
• Requires schools to verify with tribal officials that a student is part of a federally recognized tribe.

Who It Names or Affects

• Students who are members or citizens of federally recognized Virginia tribes and enrolled in college or university programs.
• Public institutions of higher education in Virginia.

Terms To Know

Federally recognized

A tribe that has a formal relationship with the U.S. government, which includes certain rights and benefits.

In-state tuition

The lower cost of college or university fees for students who live in the same state as the school.

Limits and Unknowns

• This bill does not specify how schools will handle verification costs.
• It is unclear if private colleges and universities are required to follow these rules.

Official Summary Text

Institutions of higher education; eligibility for in-state tuition for citizens of federally recognized Virginia tribes.
Makes any non-Virginia student who is a member or citizen of a federally recognized tribe and who is enrolled in an undergraduate degree program eligible for in-state tuition. The bill also allows the governing board of any public institution of higher education to charge in-state tuition to such students enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program. This is a recommendation of the Commission on Updating Virginia Law to Reflect Federal Recognition of Virginia Tribes.

Current Bill Text

HB 287

SUBCOMMITTEE

1. Line 13, introduced, after
means

strike

the remainder of line 13, all of line 14, and through
and
on line 15

insert

a Virginia recognized tribe

SUBCOMMITTEE

2. Line 66, introduced, after
program.

insert

The school will verify tribal enrollment with the appropriate tribal government official as identified by the tribe.

SUBCOMMITTEE

3. Line 85, introduced, after
institution.

insert

The school will verify tribal enrollment with the appropriate tribal government official as identified by the tribe.