UPDATE | ‘Weight lifts’ as students learn of free tuition option

A piece of paper that opens a world of possibilities and is worth more than $100,000 over the course of a lifetime is now free.

College tuition at community college is now free in West Virginia for thousands who qualify.

It's lifting a large burden off the backs of students like Emma Marshall and bringing many others back to the classroom.

Marshall is a graphic design student at Mountwest Community and Technical College.

"It's a little stressful."

Part of the reason is she's paying for it herself, mostly with loans.

"I'll be paying thousands of dollars back after I graduate,” Marshall said.

But she adds, it’s worth it.

"Yeah, college opens many doors."

But a new law could change that. It makes tuition free for students who qualify.

But there are a number of requirements including 2.0 GPA, taking at least six credit hours a semester and taking a drug test every semester. One local facility tells us that costs $60.

"I could have cried,” said Mariah Clay, another student at Mountwest. “Honestly I did shed a tear."

Clay is the first in her family to go to college. She also must pay for her schooling herself, requiring her to balance her coursework with two jobs and only take six credit hours a semester.

"I think it's amazing,” she said. “I think it's overdue, especially for West Virginia when we're losing people by the day. I love West Virginia. I have no plans to leave anytime soon. I want to further my education to be a productive member of West Virginia. This bill is going to help me do that."

She's also thrilled it is helping her mom who has been a single mom for most of her life. She’s recently taken a couple of courses, but with the free tuition option plans to take a lot more and finish her associate’s degree.

"With this bill passing, free community college, her opportunities are endless," Clay said.

There are some catches.

You must have a diploma or GED but not another degree. You must be a legal U.S. resident and live in West Virginia for a year before you apply and for two years after you get your associate's, otherwise you may have to pay back the money. There are some exceptions for cases like those in the military. It also doesn't cover other program or lab fees. You must also apply for FAFSA and will fill in the gap where other federal programs fall short.

But at Mountwest, tuition is $2,007 a semester for students taking 12 hours of classes currently. Each course hour is $167.50. The rate is likely to go up for the next academic year.

It’s a burden that starting June 5, when the bill takes effect, could be gone for thousands of students like Clay and Marshall.

"It will help me finish this degree and save money for my next one," Clay said.

"Having that weight lifted off my shoulders and not having to stress about loans eventually, just working on the present and not worrying about the future," Marshall added.

The state has allocated $10 million to pay for the program. It joins 17 other states with similar tuition programs.

But there's one big question mark for students and officials with less than three months to go.

The bill wording limits tuition payments to courses which satisfy a workforce, but don't specify which ones those are. So it’s not clear which programs will qualify and which will not.

Mountwest currently has about 2,500 students. Officials believe it will mean a 20 to 30 percent boost in enrollment for them in the first year, anywhere from 500 to 750 students. They tell WSAZ that staffing could be a challenge, but they will make it work.

According to federal labor statistics, the median employee with an associate’s degree earns $6,604 more than the median employee with just a diploma or equivalent.

West Virginia residents will soon be able to go to community and technical colleges for free.

Republican Gov. Jim Justice on Monday signed a bill authorizing tuition grants to residents who are at least 18 years old and have completed a secondary program.

Grantees would have to pass a drug test each semester, maintain a 2.0 grade-point average, take at least six credit hours per semester and perform at least eight hours of community service.

Recipients would have to repay grants if they don't live in West Virginia for two years after getting their degree. Grants would be limited to courses of study that "satisfy a workforce need as determined by the Department of Commerce."

At least 17 other states offer similar programs.

The measure goes into effect June 5.

The West Virginia House of Delegates has passed a bill that would allow state residents to attend community and technical college for free.

The bill was approved on an 85-13

Wednesday. It now goes back to the Senate, which had previously passed the bill unanimously and now must address House changes.

Seventeen other states offer similar programs.

The bill would authorize tuition grants to West Virginians at least 18 years old who have completed a secondary program.

It would require passing a drug test each semester, maintaining a 2.0 grade-point average, taking at least six credit hours a semester and performing at least eight hours of community service.

Recipients would have to repay grants if they don't live in West Virginia for two years after getting their degree or certificate.