Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act

The Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act aims to make college more affordable for residents of several U.S. territories, including Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Under this proposal, public colleges and universities that receive federal funding would be prohibited from charging these students out-of-state tuition rates. Instead, eligible students who are U.S. nationals from these territories would pay the same in-state tuition and fees as residents of the state where the school is located.

If enacted, the bill would address the high cost of education for territorial students who often must travel to the mainland United States to pursue specialized degrees not offered locally. By capping tuition at in-state rates, the legislation seeks to reduce the financial burden on families and encourage more students from these regions to complete higher education. To ensure compliance, the bill would make these tuition rules a requirement for institutions to participate in federal student aid programs, such as Pell Grants and federal student loans.