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Insular Areas College Access Act

Source: Congress.gov  ·  3,391 words in original text
What This Bill Does
This bill creates a program called the Insular Areas College Access Act that helps students from four U.S. island territories attend colleges and universities on the mainland. The program provides grants to cover the difference between what out-of-state students pay and what in-state students pay for tuition and fees. (Sec. 2, Sec. 3)
Who It Affects
Students from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa who want to attend college mainland. Governors of those four island territories. Public four-year colleges and universities located in the 50 states, Washington D.C., or Puerto Rico that choose to participate. The Secretary of Education. The Comptroller General of the United States.
Key Provisions
Grants cannot exceed $15,000 per year or $45,000 total per student. (Sec. 3(a)(2)) Students attending part-time have their grant amounts reduced proportionally. (Sec. 3(a)(3)) Each Governor can use up to 5 percent of program funds for administrative costs. (Sec. 3(k)(2)) If not enough money exists to fund all eligible students, the Governor must first reduce payments to returning students, then to new students. (Sec. 3(b)(1)) Governors can adjust grant amounts based on student financial need or reduce burdens on themselves. (Sec. 3(b)(2)) Each Governor can excuse students from the work requirement if extenuating circumstances exist. (Sec. 3(g)(1)) Students continuously enrolled in graduate programs have their work requirement delayed until they finish their graduate studies. (Sec. 3(g)(2))
What Changes
If this bill becomes law, eligible students from the four island territories can apply for grants that reduce their college tuition costs. (Sec. 3(a)) Each territory's Governor gets 25 percent of the total federal money appropriated for this program each year. (Sec. 3(a)(1)(A)) Participating colleges receive grants on behalf of eligible students to cover the tuition difference between out-of-state and in-state rates. (Sec. 3(a)(1)(B)) Students who receive grants must work full-time in their home territory for at least 2 years within 4 years after graduating. (Sec. 3(e)(1)(A)) If students do not complete this work requirement, their grant money becomes a loan they must repay with interest. (Sec. 3(e)(2), Sec. 3(f))
Important Definitions
Eligible Institution: A public four-year college located in the 50 states, Washington D.C., or Puerto Rico that participates in federal student aid programs and agrees to use grant funds to supplement, not replace, other aid. (Sec. 3(l)(2)) Eligible Student: An individual who lived in one of the four island territories for at least 12 consecutive months before starting college, graduated from a high school there after January 1, 2019, started college within 3 years of graduation, attends college at least half-time, is making satisfactory academic progress, maintains their island territory as their principal residence, and has not completed an undergraduate degree. (Sec. 3(l)(3)) Outlying Area: The U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, or American Samoa. (Sec. 3(l)(6)) Governor: The chief executive of one of the four island territories. (Sec. 3(l)(5))
Effective Date
January 1, 2023 for payments covering periods of instruction. (Sec. 3(m))
Important: This plain English summary was generated by AI and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Always consult the official bill text on Congress.gov or a qualified attorney for legal matters.