1. Short title This Act may be cited as the United States Virgin Islands College Access Act of 2017 . 2. Purpose It is the purpose of this Act to establish a program that enables college-bound residents of the United States Virgin Islands to have greater choices among institutions of higher education. 3. Public school grants (a) Grants (1) In general From amounts appropriated under subsection (i) , the Governor shall award grants to eligible institutions that enroll eligible students to pay the difference between the tuition and fees charged for in-State students and the tuition and fees charged for out-of-State students on behalf of each eligible student enrolled in the eligible institution. (2) Maximum student amounts The amount paid on behalf of an eligible student under this section shall be— (A) not more than $10,000 for any one award year (as defined in section 481 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1088 )); and (B) not more than $50,000 in the aggregate. (3) Proration The Governor shall prorate payments under this section for students who attend an eligible institution on less than a full-time basis. (b) Reduction for insufficient appropriations (1) In general If the funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (i) for any fiscal year are insufficient to award a grant in the amount determined under subsection (a) on behalf of each eligible student enrolled in an eligible institution, then the Governor, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall— (A) first, ratably reduce the amount of the tuition and fee payment made on behalf of each eligible student who has not received funds under this section for a preceding year