Bipartisan lawmakers launch new legislation to simplify student credit transfers

In a significant step towards easing bureaucratic hurdles for students, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Mike Braun (R-IN), along with U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse (D-CO-02), John Curtis (R-UT-03), and Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), have reintroduced the Reverse Transfer Efficiency Act of 2023. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation is designed to facilitate the transfer of credits from four-year institutions to community colleges, helping students earn the degrees and certifications they have worked for.

Body: The Act aims to streamline the “reverse transfer” process, where credits earned at a four-year institution are transferred back to a two-year institution the student previously attended. This would determine if the student has amassed enough credits to receive a degree. As a major feature, the Act amends the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, creating an exemption for sharing student records between higher education institutions, with the purpose of conferring a degree.

The National Student Clearinghouse has identified over four million individuals who have sufficient credit hours at a four-year institution to be eligible for an associate’s degree but withdrew without a degree or certificate. In Virginia alone, the figure stands at around 87,528 students.

“This legislation is a no-brainer, ensuring students are granted the degrees they have rightfully earned,” said Sen. Warner. Other lawmakers echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the Act’s potential to reduce student debt, increase accessibility, and break down barriers to better-paying jobs.

Conclusion: With wide support from numerous organizations and institutions, the Reverse Transfer Efficiency Act promises to play a vital role in boosting student attainment and economic mobility. By reducing bureaucratic obstacles, the legislation could potentially open up a world of opportunities for millions of students, enabling them to fully utilize their educational achievements.

A copy of the bill text is available here.