Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote during the vote series today. Had I been able to vote, I would have voted: NAY on roll call No. 79, ordering the previous question on H. Res. 1095; NO on roll call No. 80, Passage of H. Res. 1095; YEA on roll call No. 81, passage of S. 723; YEA on roll call No. 82, passage of H.R. 6472; and YEA on roll call No. 83, Motion to Refer H. Res. 1100. PERSONAL EXPLANATION
H.R. 6472: Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act
Introduced Dec 4, 20255 cosponsors
Sponsor
James Moylan
Republican · GU
Bill Progress
IntroducedDec 4
Committee
Pass HouseMar 4
Pass Senate
Signed
Law
Latest Action · Mar 9, 2026
1/3
Passed the House, received in Senate
Territorial students closer to in-state tuition
3 min readLast updated March 11, 2026
Why it matters
Students from U.S. territories often face much higher college bills on the mainland, and this bill would force many public colleges to treat them like in-state students instead.
H.R. 6472 would amend the Higher Education Act to require public colleges and universities that receive federal aid under that law to offer in-state tuition rates to certain students from Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In plain terms, it says these students should not be charged more than what a resident of that state would pay.
The practical effect could be huge for families. At many public universities, out-of-state tuition is thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars higher than in-state tuition. For students from territories with fewer local higher education options, that price gap can be a major barrier to earning a degree in the continental U.S. or Hawaii.
The bill is narrow but significant. It does not create a new grant program, and it does not send direct funding to students or colleges. Instead, it uses a condition tied to federal education aid: if a public institution participates in federal higher education programs, it must comply. That gives the policy real leverage without spelling out a new spending stream.
There are also limits. The bill applies only to public institutions, not private colleges. It also covers only residents of four territories named in the bill, and eligibility depends on being a U.S. national as defined in immigration law. Puerto Rico is not included, likely because it already has a larger higher education system and different policy context, but its omission may still draw questions. If enacted, colleges and states would need to update tuition classification rules and residency systems to make the change work.
What does H.R. 6472 do?
1
In-state tuition for eligible territorial residents
Public colleges that receive federal higher education aid could not charge covered students more than the in-state tuition and fee rate.
2
Applies to four U.S. territories
The bill covers residents of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
3
Only public colleges are covered
The requirement applies to public institutions of higher education, not private colleges or universities.
4
Tied to federal aid participation
Schools would have to follow this rule as part of their agreement to participate in federal student aid and other Higher Education Act programs.
5
Sets an eligibility test
To qualify, a student must be a resident of one of the listed territories and be a U.S. national under federal immigration law.
Who benefits from H.R. 6472?
Students from Guam
They could see much lower tuition bills when attending public colleges in the states.
Students from the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
They would gain a clearer path to more affordable public higher education options outside their home territories.
Territorial families
Families could face less pressure to cover steep out-of-state tuition costs, reducing debt or the need to forgo college.
Public colleges seeking territorial enrollment
Schools may find it easier to recruit and enroll students from the territories once tuition is more affordable.
Who is affected by H.R. 6472?
Public colleges and universities
They would need to change tuition classification policies and ensure eligible territorial students are billed at in-state rates.
State higher education systems
States may need to coordinate administrative rules and absorb some reduced tuition revenue from students who otherwise would have paid out-of-state rates.
Students from covered territories
They would need to prove residency and national status to receive the lower rate.
Private colleges
They are not required to change tuition practices, which means the bill could widen the policy gap between public and private institutions.
On the Record
What Congress Is Saying
17 legislators have weighed in on H.R. 6472 — 7 Democrats, 10 Republicans.
Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, I rise today in support of the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 7744. As America faces heightened threats on U.S. soil and abroad, DHS is in the midst of its second major shutdown in 6 months because of Democrats' political games. This lapse in appropriations means a disruption in our Nation's disaster preparedness, transportation security, and critical infrastructure resilience when we need it most. As a lifelong New Yorker, I find it outrageous that DHS continues to be undermined by Washington's dysfunction.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6472, which would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for in-State tuition rates for certain residents of Guam, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, the American Samoa, and the United States Virgin Islands. I support this initiative in principle because we cannot ignore the needs of these States. However, we also should not ignore that States and public colleges set their own tuition rates based on State budgets and priorities.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding time, and I rise in strong support of H.R. 6472, the Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act. Mr. Speaker, since my first term in Congress, expanding access to higher education for students from the United States territories has been a priority. Today, I am proud that the House is considering meaningful, bipartisan legislation to address this issue. I want to point out that the United States small territories face unique geographic and economic challenges.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6472, sponsored by Congressman James Moylan of Guam, which allows residents of U.S. territories to access in-State tuition rates at public universities across the U.S. I am proud to rise in support of H.R. 6472, which ensures students of the U.S. territories of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands receive in-State tuition at public universities across the country. I am pleased that all of the Delegates from each U.S.
H.R. 6472 also appeared in 4 routine cosponsor filings.
HR6472 Legislative Journey
Committee Action
Mar 9, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
House: Vote: 351-72
Mar 4, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 351 - 72 (Roll no. 82).
House: Vote Held
Mar 3, 2026
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
House: Committee Action
Feb 11, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-495.
House: Vote: 32-1
Dec 11, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 32 - 1.
House: Committee Action
Dec 4, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
About the Sponsor
James Moylan
Republican, Guam · 3 years in Congress
Committees: Education and Workforce, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs
View full profile →
Cosponsors (5)
No new cosponsors in 71 days — momentum stalled
This bill has 5 cosponsors: 3 Democrats, 2 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 1 state: California.
3Democrats2Republicans·1 stateBipartisan
Committee Sponsors
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
10D11R1I
|0 signed22 not yet0 of 22 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
Education and Workforce Committee
15D20R
|0 signed35 not yet0 of 35 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
31 Republicans across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does H.R. 6472 change?
1 changes
Sections Amended
Section 101(a) of Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a))).''. (b) Program Participation Agreement.--Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a))
adding at the end the following: ``(30) The institution will comply with the requirements of section 135A, as applicable
H.R. 6472 Quick Facts
Cosponsors
5
- Committee
- Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Education
- Introduced
- Dec 4, 2025
Passed the House, received in Senate
Mar 9, 2026
H.R. 6472 Common Questions
Which U.S. territories would get in-state tuition under H.R. 6472?
Under the Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act, eligible residents of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands must be charged no more than in-state rates at covered public colleges (Section 2).
Can students from Guam get in-state tuition at mainland public colleges under this bill?
Yes. Under the Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act, a covered student from Guam could not be charged more than the in-state tuition and fee rate at a public institution receiving Higher Education Act aid (Section 2).
Does H.R. 6472 include Puerto Rico students for in-state tuition?
No. According to H.R. 6472 Section 2, the bill covers only residents of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the United States Virgin Islands.
Does the Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act apply to private colleges?
No. Under the Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act, the tuition rule applies to public institutions of higher education receiving assistance under the Higher Education Act (Section 2).
What are the eligibility requirements for territorial students to get in-state tuition under H.R. 6472?
According to H.R. 6472 Section 2, a student must be a resident of Guam, CNMI, American Samoa, or the U.S. Virgin Islands and be a U.S. national as defined in federal immigration law.
Can a public university charge territorial students higher fees than in-state students under H.R. 6472?
No. Under the Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act, covered individuals cannot be charged tuition or fees at a rate greater than what state residents pay at that public institution (Section 2).
How does H.R. 6472 enforce in-state tuition for territorial students?
According to H.R. 6472 Section 2, compliance is tied to a school's Program Participation Agreement, making the rule a condition of joining federal Higher Education Act programs.
Does H.R. 6472 create a new college grant or direct funding for territorial students?
No. Under H.R. 6472 Section 2, the bill changes tuition treatment at covered public colleges; it does not create a new grant program or direct payment to students.
Can students from American Samoa qualify for in-state tuition under this bill if they are U.S. nationals?
Yes. Under the Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act, a resident of American Samoa who is a U.S. national would meet the bill's covered-individual definition (Section 2).
Is the in-state tuition requirement in H.R. 6472 limited to colleges that receive federal education aid?
Yes. According to H.R. 6472 Section 2, the mandate applies to public institutions of higher education receiving assistance under the Higher Education Act.
Based on H.R. 6472 bill text
H.R. 6472 Bill Text
“To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for in-state tuition rates for certain residents of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the United States Virgin Islands, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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