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The House passed the Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act (H.R. 6472) with a bipartisan majority. This bill allows students from certain U.S. territories to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities.
This vote was to pass H.R. 6472, a bill that aims to reduce the cost of college for students from U.S. territories like Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Currently, these students often pay high out-of-state tuition rates when attending public universities in the 50 states. This bill would require colleges that receive federal funding to charge these students the lower in-state rate, provided they are U.S. nationals. This was conducted under a "suspension of the rules" procedure. This is a fast-track method used for bills with broad support. Because it bypasses some standard legislative steps, it requires a higher threshold to pass: two-thirds of the members present must vote "yes" instead of a simple majority. The bill passed with a significant bipartisan majority, though some Republicans voted against it. Having passed the House, the bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. If the Senate also passes the measure and the President signs it, the tuition changes will become law, making higher education more affordable for thousands of territorial students.
The bill has been sent to the Senate, where it has been referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for review.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This bill addresses a financial disparity where U.S. nationals from territories are often charged significantly higher tuition rates than residents of the 50 states, creating a barrier to higher education.
Who’s affected. Territorial Students: Eligible students from Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands would see a substantial reduction in college costs at public institutions. · Public Universities: Institutions must adjust their tuition policies for territorial students to maintain eligibility for federal financial aid programs.
Democrats. Democrats voted unanimously in favor of the bill.
Republicans. A majority of Republicans supported the bill, though 37 members voted against it.
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
Mar 4, 2026
The House passed the Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act (H.R.
6472) with a bipartisan majority. This bill allows students from certain U.S. territories to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities.
Suspension of the rules is a shortcut used to pass legislation quickly by skipping certain debates and amendments. To prevent this shortcut from being used for controversial items, the House requires a two-thirds supermajority for the bill to pass.
The bill has been sent to the Senate, where it has been referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for review.
This bill addresses a financial disparity where U.S. nationals from territories are often charged significantly higher tuition rates than residents of the 50 states, creating a barrier to higher education.
The bill passed with strong bipartisan support, though nearly one-third of the voting Republicans opposed the measure.
Democrats voted unanimously in favor of the bill.
A majority of Republicans supported the bill, though 37 members voted against it.
The lone independent member voted in favor of the bill.