H.R. 6472 · Where this bill is now
In the Senate
Passed the House Mar 4, 2026. Received Mar 9, 2026; no Senate vote yet
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryLower tuition for territorial U.S. students
This bill requires public colleges and universities that accept federal student aid to charge in-state tuition rates to students from Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as long as they're U.S. nationals. Right now, these students often pay out-of-state rates, which can be significantly higher.
How it affects you
If you're a U.S. national living in one of those four territories and planning to attend a public college or university on the mainland, you'd pay the same tuition as in-state students rather than the higher out-of-state rate. For families in these territories, it could mean college becomes more affordable and accessible.
Read the official summary (Reported to House, Feb 11, 2026)
Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act
This bill requires public institutions of higher education that participate in federal student aid programs to charge no more than in-state tuition and fee rates to students who are residents of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, provided they are also U.S. nationals.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 6472
AN ACT
Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act
Sponsor: Del. James C. Moylan (R-GU-At Large) · Introduced Dec 4, 2025 · Education · 4 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 9, 2026: “Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.”
How Congress voted
Official roll callsHouse · On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Mar 4, 2026
Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 351–72
| Party | Yes | No | Didn’t vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 208 | 1 | 5 |
| Republicans | 143 | 71 | 4 |
72 members voted against most of their party: 1 Democrats voted No and 71 Republicans voted No.
Congress votes on whole bills and amendments, not on single sections.