Students From 3 Pacific Island Countries Now Eligible for U.S. Financial Aid
Credit: Luiz Jr. Fernandes / 500px / Getty Images- Students from the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau are guaranteed in-state tuition at all U.S. public higher education institutions.
- These students also qualify for Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant programs.
- WUFT reported that Ray Rodrigues, chancellor of the State University System of Florida, is exploring legal action against the new law.
- The National Center for Education Statistics found only 0.3% of enrolled college students identified as Pacific Islanders in 2022.
Students from three Pacific island countries now qualify for in-state tuition at any public college or university in the U.S.
The Department of Education (ED) announced April 29 that all colleges that offer financial assistance must offer in-state tuition to students who are citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. The law goes into effect this July.
Students from these countries are also eligible for Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study (FWS), and Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) programs. Previously, students who were citizens of each country benefited from the Pell Grant, but only students from Palau qualified for FWS and FSEOG.
To apply for these benefits, students can use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Pacific Islanders make up one of the smallest college demographics. The National Center for Education Statistics found only 0.3% of students enrolled in fall 2022 were Pacific Islanders.
That number is also dwindling. According to the National Student Clearinghouse, over 5,200 Pacific Islanders enrolled as first-year college students in fall 2023, a 4.4% decrease from the year before.
The new law also includes colleges within the three countries, opening these financial aid benefits to students who wish to stay in their home countries.
What Do Students Qualify For?
While students from the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau are eligible for four forms of U.S. financial aid, they don’t qualify for every federal grant or loan program.
- Pell Grant: The Pell Grant is a federal grant program for undergraduates from low- and middle-income households. Students do not need to pay back this grant.
- Federal Work-Study: These are part-time jobs, usually hosted by a participating college, that pay students who qualify for federal financial aid. While colleges are the most common work-study employers, students may also find private nonprofit and public agencies participating in the program.
- The Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant: Similar to the Pell Grant, this grant does not need to be repaid and is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Awards range from $100-$4,000.
- In-state tuition at any public higher education institution: Students are guaranteed in-state tuition at any public higher education institution. In-state tuition is typically significantly cheaper than out-of-state tuition, which is most commonly paid by students outside the state or country where the school is located.
Students are not eligible for federal Direct Loans and TEACH Grant funds.
Direct Loans are student loans from the U.S. Department of Education. If a student wishes to get a loan, they will have to apply for a private student loan. TEACH Grants are for students who agree to teach as a service obligation for the grant — if the student fails to keep the agreement, they must pay back the grant.
College Leaders Push Back on ED’s In-State Tuition Law
WUFT reported that the chancellor of the State University System of Florida spoke against the new law in a board of governors meeting in early May, saying that the federal government “infringed upon state sovereignty” by determining who can qualify for in-state tuition.
“We are consulting with one of the top constitutional law firms in the nation to see if there is grounds for us to challenge this,” Chancellor Ray Rodrigues said, according to WUFT.