Sponsors (6)
The bill expands in-state tuition eligibility to students from U.S. territories—making college more affordable and administratively consistent for them—while shifting revenue, capacity, and compliance costs onto public institutions, other students, and taxpayers.
Students from Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands will qualify for in-state tuition and fees at public colleges in U.S. states, reducing their out-of-pocket college costs and improving affordability.
Students and public institutions will face clearer, more consistent residency eligibility and reduced administrative disputes because tuition eligibility is aligned across eligible territories and states.
Public colleges and universities may gain greater access to and campus diversity by enrolling more students from the covered U.S. territories, aiding recruitment and retention efforts.
Public colleges may receive less tuition revenue per territorial student if charged in-state rather than out-of-state rates, potentially shifting costs to state taxpayers or other students through higher taxes or tuition.
Public campuses could face increased demand for in-state slots from territorial students without additional funding, potentially straining classroom capacity, housing, and student support services.
Institutions will incur administrative and compliance costs to implement and document the new residency definition and program participation agreement requirements, imposing short-term expenses and staff burden.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires public colleges receiving federal HEA assistance to charge eligible residents of four U.S. territories the same in‑state tuition and fees as state residents.
Requires public colleges and universities that get federal Higher Education Act funding to charge eligible residents of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands the same in‑state tuition and fees as residents of the state where the institution is located. It defines covered individuals as territory residents who are U.S. nationals and makes institutional compliance a condition of participating in federal student aid programs.
Introduced December 4, 2025 by James Moylan · Last progress March 9, 2026