Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is highlighting Committee passage of bipartisan legislation, backed by representatives from the territories, to guarantee in-state tuition for students from American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. With the support of Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI), the bill successfully passed the House Education and Workforce Committee this week, advancing toward easing the financial burden faced by territorial students pursuing higher education throughout the country.

Recently introduced by the territories' representatives, the bill would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965to require public institutions receiving federal funds to charge eligible territorial residents no more than the in-state tuition rate, provided they are U.S. nationals. Out-of-state tuition can often be two to three times higher than in-state rates, placing a disproportionate financial barrier on families who already contend with higher costs of living, limited on-island degree options, and the added burden of long-distance relocation.

Together, the representatives are working for more affordable pathways for territory students to pursue the degrees and training needed to compete in today's workforce, while strengthening local economies, enabling more graduates to bring home in-demand skills.

Congresswoman Aumua Amata highlighted the long-standing challenges students face: "Our students deserve the same access to four-year University degrees that millions of students in all 50 States have. Our students often find ways to succeed despite obstacles like these, but they do not have the same opportunities for in-state university tuition that almost all the country has. I appreciate working together with my colleagues on this bipartisan priority to provide meaningfully better access to higher education for students from the four insular territories. This bill would help correct a significant financial disadvantage, opening the door to our students' pursuit of excellent academic and career goals."

Congressman Jim Moylan, the sponsor, stressed that the legislation is fundamentally about fairness and educational affordability: "Families on Guam and across our neighboring islands already struggle with higher costs of living, limited degree options at home, and the added expense of traveling thousands of miles to pursue their education. This bill tackles one of the biggest affordability barriers our students face and finally guarantees them equal access to the higher education opportunities their peers in the states already receive. We're not just expanding access to college, we're ultimately investing in the future workforce, leadership, and economic strength of our islands."

Committee Chairman Walberg emphasized the territories' roles in the nation's security as he voiced support for the bill: "Territories like Guam play a vital role in America's national security and are important pieces of the fabric of our nation. As the Chinese Communist Party threatens U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific, this bill will help students in Guam advance their education to obtain degrees that may not have been otherwise available. These students can then return and bring back much-needed workforce skills to help keep our nation safe. As Chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee, I am proud to support every opportunity possible to help America and its territories build stronger workforce pipelines with more opportunities for individuals to thrive."

Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-CNMI) underscored how the bill directly eases financial strain for families in the Northern Marianas: "I join my colleagues in introducing legislation that affirms a simple principle: students from the territories deserve the same educational opportunities as students in the states. This bill is an important step for students from the Northern Marianas, many of whom must leave home to pursue programs not available in our islands. Expanding access to in-state tuition would ease the financial burden on working families and open more pathways for students. By extending in-state tuition to all public colleges and universities nationwide, we remove long-standing barriers to affordable higher education. I look forward to advancing this practical, commonsense benefit to support Marianas students working to further their education."

Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (D-U.S. Virgin Islands) emphasized the long struggle for equitable college access: "I am proud to join Congressman Moylan (R-GU), Congresswoman Radewagen (R-AS), Congressman Hernandez (D-PR), and Congresswoman King-Hinds (R-CNMI) to introduce legislation to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to guarantee in-state tuition rates for territorial residents. This legislation addresses a fundamental inequity faced by residents of the U.S. territories. Since my first term in office, I have fought for legislation to expand college access for students in the Virgin Islands and the other U.S. territories. I secured a provision in the Build Back Better Act that would have established a college access grants program to cover the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition rates for students from the small territories. Our students deserve the same educational opportunities and pathways to success as their peers in the states, and guaranteeing instate tuition rates is essential to reducing the burden of student debt. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this legislation and make a meaningful difference for families across the territories."

By eliminating unaffordable out-of-state tuition rates for territorial students, the bill aims to reduce student debt, expand access to four-year colleges, and create more equitable pathways to professional and technical careers.

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