Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act

# Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act Summary **What the bill does:** This bill requires colleges and universities that accept federal student aid to charge students from U.S. territories—Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands—the same tuition rates as in-state students, rather than the typically higher out-of-state rates. The benefit applies to U.S. nationals from these territories. **Who it affects:** The primary beneficiaries are students from these four U.S. territories who want to attend mainland colleges and universities.

It also affects higher education institutions that participate in federal student aid programs, which most public universities do. This could reduce education costs significantly for territorial residents while potentially changing revenue streams for colleges. **Current status:** The bill passed the House of Representatives and is awaiting action in the Senate. It was sponsored by Del. James C. Moylan, a Republican delegate from Guam (delegates represent territories but cannot vote on most legislation).