Education isn’t just about degrees or career advancement but about learning life lessons, passing down knowledge, and strengthening communities. That’s why Senate Bill 5110 is so important. It’s a step toward recognizing the wisdom and contributions of Tribal elders. Guaranteeing they even have the opportunity to continue their education without financial barriers would mean a great deal to them and their community.
Right now, Washington law allows colleges to waive tuition for people over 60, but SB 5110 acknowledges something important: Tribal communities define elderhood differently, often recognizing it at 55. However, that’s not just a cultural distinction: it’s a reflection of reality. Native peoples have a lower life expectancy, around 65 years on average, compared to 76 for the general population. If we wait until 60, we risk denying many elders the chance to engage in higher education at all. Lowering the age to 55 is about equity, about meeting people where they are, and about ensuring that those who have spent decades giving to their communities have the chance to learn, grow, and share their knowledge in new ways.
As an intern at the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, I see the impact of accessible education every day. Community and technical colleges change lives, and they do it by being flexible, affordable, and welcoming to everyone. SB 5110 not only supports but brings to light that mission. It says that learning isn’t just for the young or for those seeking a career change; it’s for anyone who wants to keep expanding their mind, including those who have already dedicated their lives to their communities.
This bill matters because it challenges the idea that education has an expiration date. It recognizes that elders bring something invaluable to the classroom through their experience, perspective, and cultural knowledge that can benefit everyone around them. Imagine a Tribal elder sitting in a history or environmental science class, sharing firsthand knowledge about Indigenous land stewardship or community traditions. That’s becomes not just education but the preservation and honoring of the wisdom that might otherwise be lost.
One of the highlights of the bill is it doesn’t require colleges to adopt the waiver and absorb the costs if they’re not able to. It simply gives them the option. It’s about trust and respect, trusting our institutions to make the right choices for their communities and respecting the elders who have shaped those communities.
SB 5110 already passed the Senate with unanimous support (48-0), and now it’s in the House. That tells me something: people understand that this is about more than tuition waivers. It’s about breaking down barriers, recognizing contributions, and making sure education is truly for everyone.
I care about equitable education because I’ve seen how access (or the lack of it) can shape someone’s future. Supporting tribal elders to pursue knowledge isn’t just the right thing to do, it actually makes our schools, our communities, and our state stronger. I hope we can keep pushing for policies like this, that open doors instead of closing them.
