West Virginia joins other states in offering free tuition at community colleges. But the new law is unique in asking all students seeking eligibility to pass a drug test.
Starting in July, students in West Virginia seeking to take advantage of the state’s new tuition-free community college program will have to submit to a blanket drug test. The policy makes West Virginia’s free-tuition legislation unique nationwide.
In March, the state Legislature passed West Virginia Invests — legislation allowing students in the state to attend public colleges with qualifying certificate and associate degrees tuition-free. However, among the eligibility requirements to receive this benefit is passing a drug test, including for marijuana use, before the beginning of the semester.
John Bolt, a spokesman for the state flagship West Virginia University, said the policy won’t affect admissions at the main campus — even for students receiving need-based financial aid to attend the university. The policy will affect the university’s affiliate campus at Potomac State College, which Bolt said primarily offers two-year programs.
The drug tests won’t deem a student ineligible for prescription medicines, which could include medical marijuana, according to local media reports.