H.R.6472 — Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act
House Roll Call
H.R.6472
| Bill | H.R.6472 — Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act |
|---|---|
| Vote question | On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended |
| Vote type | 2/3 Yea-And-Nay |
| Result | Passed |
| Totals | Yea 351 / Nay 72 / Present 0 / Not Voting 9 |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 143 | 71 | 0 | 4 |
| D | 208 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| I | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Research Brief
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
Bill Analysis
HR 6472 – Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act (119th Congress)
HR 6472 amends federal higher education law to improve college access and affordability for students from U.S. territories (e.g., Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands) by modifying how “in‑state” tuition and residency are treated under federal programs.
Core provisions
- Directs that, for purposes of federal higher education programs and benefits, students who are residents of U.S. territories be treated comparably to state residents when attending public institutions of higher education in the states, territories, or the District of Columbia, to the extent permitted by federal law.
- Encourages or authorizes public colleges and universities to classify eligible territorial residents as in‑state (or equivalent) for tuition purposes, or to extend similar residency-based benefits, without jeopardizing participation in federal programs.
- Clarifies that territorial residency is to be recognized under specified sections of the Higher Education Act (HEA) and related statutes, reducing ambiguity that has led to inconsistent treatment of territorial students across institutions and states.
Funding and authorities
- Primarily a policy/eligibility change; it does not create a large new spending program but may have modest budget effects through altered federal student aid usage (e.g., Pell Grants, loans) as territorial students gain more affordable options.
- Operates through amendments to the HEA and related federal education statutes, using existing Department of Education (ED) administrative structures.
- Authorizes ED to issue guidance and regulations to implement the new territorial-residency rules and ensure institutional compliance.
Agencies and programs affected
- U.S. Department of Education, especially Federal Student Aid.
- Public institutions of higher education in the 50 states, D.C., and territories.
- Federal student aid programs under Title IV of the HEA (Pell Grants, Direct Loans, campus-based aid) to the extent residency status affects cost of attendance and institutional eligibility.
Beneficiaries and timelines
- Primary beneficiaries: students who are bona fide residents of U.S. territories seeking to enroll in public colleges and universities outside their home territory.
- Institutions gain clearer legal authority to offer in‑state–like treatment to territorial students.
- Provisions generally take effect upon enactment, with ED-directed implementation and guidance following on standard regulatory timelines.
Yea (351)
K
Ken Calvert
J
Jason Crow
L
Lloyd Doggett
S
Scott Franklin
J
John Garamendi
J
John Mannion
L
Lucy McBath
L
Lisa McClain
C
Christian Menefee
J
John Rutherford
D
David Schweikert
P
Pete Sessions
E
Eric Swalwell
R
Rashida Tlaib
N
Nydia Velázquez
D
Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Nay (72)
