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 expand access to federal student aid and related benefits for residents of U.S. territories and certain freely associated states, aligning their treatment more closely with that of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Substantive changes and authorities:
- Clarifies that eligible “states” for specified Higher Education Act (HEA) programs include U.S. territories (e.g., Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands) and, where applicable, the Freely Associated States (Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau), to the extent permitted under existing compacts and law.
- Directs the U.S. Department of Education to treat territorial residents as domestic students for designated federal student aid and institutional support programs, rather than as foreign or otherwise limited-status students.
- Authorizes the Secretary of Education to adjust program formulas, eligibility criteria, and administrative procedures so territorial students and institutions can fully participate in Title IV student aid (e.g., Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and related HEA programs, subject to existing appropriations.
- May require the Department to update guidance, application systems (e.g., FAFSA and institutional reporting), and data classifications to ensure territorial students are not disadvantaged in aid calculations or access.
Funding and implementation:
- The bill primarily modifies eligibility and administrative authority; it does not create a new mandatory funding stream. Any increased federal outlays would flow through existing HEA authorizations and annual appropriations as more territorial students qualify for aid.
- Implementation timelines are tied to the next practicable award year for federal student aid, with the Secretary authorized to issue interim regulations and guidance to meet that schedule.
Affected parties:
- Beneficiaries: Students residing in U.S. territories (and potentially certain associated jurisdictions) seeking federal financial aid; territorial colleges and universities gaining fuller access to federal higher education programs.
- Regulated/implementing entities: U.S. Department of Education (primary), territorial higher education institutions, and relevant territorial education agencies responsible for administering federal aid and compliance.
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)
