VA SB456

Citizens or members of federally recognized Virginia Indian tribes would be eligible for in-state tuition at Virginia public colleges and universities regardless of where they currently live

Undergraduate tribal members would automatically qualify for in-state tuition and be counted as Virginia students for enrollment purposes

Graduate and professional degree students from federally recognized Virginia tribes could receive in-state tuition at the discretion of each institution's governing board

"Federally recognized tribe" is defined as a tribe within Virginia's boundaries that is acknowledged by both the Commonwealth and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994

The bill amends Virginia Code § 23.1-506 and was introduced January 14, 2026 by Senator Stuart and referred to the Senate Committee on Education and Health