Insular Areas College Access Act

HR 1031, the Insular Areas College Access Act, provides financial aid to residents of U.S. insular areas (Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands) attending eligible public universities in mainland U.S. states. It covers the tuition gap between out-of-area rates and in-state rates, with grants capped at $15,000 annually or $45,000 total per student. Recipients must work full-time in their home insular area for two years after graduation, with exceptions for hardship or continued education. The program requires annual reporting by governors and GAO oversight to assess access barriers, funded at $40 million annually from 2024-2029.