Additional information about senior education here.
Waived Tuition
War Orphans
Under the War Orphans Act of Virginia, children of Virginia military personnel killed, 100 percent disabled, missing in action, or designated prisoners of war in any armed conflict may be eligible for free tuition at state colleges. Determination of eligibility will be made by the Virginia Division of War Veterans’ Claims. The free tuition for children is a Commonwealth of Virginia benefit which applies only at state-related institutions. Students qualifying for the War Orphans Act may also be eligible for other benefits from the Veterans Administration through federal authorization. For more information or applications, contact the Student Services Office at Wytheville Community College.
Children of Deceased Law Enforcement/Firefighter/Rescue Squad Personnel
Any student between the ages of 16 and 25 whose parent has been killed in the line of duty while employed or serving as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or rescue squad member in Virginia is entitled to free tuition and required fees if the deceased parent lived in Virginia at the time of death and certification of employment is provided.
Senior Citizens’ Tuition and Fees Waiver
Under provisions of the Virginia Senior Citizens Higher Education Act, a person who has reached 60 years of age and has had legal domicile in Virginia for one year before the beginning of a semester may enroll in a state institution of higher learning at no cost (tuition and required fees) provided all tuition-paying students are given first priority for class spaces. Senior citizens who have completed 75 percent or more of their degree requirements may be allowed to enroll in courses at the same time as tuition-paying students. If the senior citizen had a Virginia taxable income of not more than $23,850 in the preceding year, the individual may take a course for academic credit without paying tuition and fees, except for fees established for the purpose of paying for course materials, such as laboratory fees. If the person’s Virginia taxable income exceeded $23,850, the individual may only audit the course for free. All audits must be approved by the appropriate academic dean. A senior citizen, regardless of income level, may take a noncredit course free of tuition and fees, except for fees established for the purpose of paying for course materials, such as laboratory fees. No limit is placed on the number of semesters in which a senior citizen may register for tuition-free courses. The law places no restriction on the number of courses that may be taken for credit in any semester. Audit of credit courses or noncredit courses cannot exceed three courses per semester.
To apply for waiver of tuition and fees, senior citizens must be admitted to the college and complete a waiver form each semester in which classes are taken. Waivers must be approved by the Registrar. Forms are available in the Admissions and Records Office.