Pa. House passes Kinkead bill to guarantee college credit transfers

Legislation to help community college students advances

HARRISBURG, June 26 – The state House today passed legislation that would require Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education schools to apply credits earned at a Pennsylvania community college toward a parallel bachelor’s degree program, announced the bill’s author, state Rep. Emily Kinkead.

The bill would also guarantee junior-level admission into the PASSHE system for all Pennsylvania community college students who earn an associate degree from a college or university accredited by the Council for Higher Education.

“Many Pennsylvania students leave Pennsylvania to pursue a bachelor's degree rather than attending our state universities because of the complicated and unpredictable process of attempting to transfer college credits,” said Kinkead, D-Allegheny. “This legislation will encourage more community college students to consider transferring to a PASSHE school and ultimately create a more affordable pathway to a four-year degree for Pennsylvania students.”

Kinkead thanked the bill’s other co-prime sponsor, state Rep. Mary Isaacson, D-Phila., for her work in drafting and advancing the legislation.

The House passed H.B. 897 unanimously, and the bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.