Students will be able to apply class credits earned at four-year institutions of higher learning to earn degrees at two-year schools, as a result of legislation passed today by the House.

Senate Bill 6354, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood, requires Washington state institutions of higher learning to develop policies to allow the transfers by Dec. 31, 2017.

“Higher education is too expensive for too many students, but this challenge is even worse for students who aren’t able to finish their degrees,” Liias said. “Creating a statewide reverse transfer system will ensure that students who aren’t able to finish a four-year degree can get an associate’s degree if they have enough credits. Giving our students credit when it’s due is an important way to encourage them to stay on the path to graduation.”

The bill also includes provisions for notifying eligible students that they make may transfer their credits.

As the bill had already passed the Senate and was not amended in the House, it now goes to Gov. Inslee to be signed into law.