IllinoisState universities must notify transfer students about community college degrees
Starting in 2026–2027, Illinois State universities must tell eligible transfer students how to use university credits toward an associate degree from a community college.
What it does
Starting in 2026–2027, State universities must notify transfers accepted with at least 30 community college credit hours about earning an associate degree after reaching at least 60 combined credit hours.
Community colleges and State universities cannot charge fees tied to awarding an associate degree using university credits, including application, credit review, and graduation fees.
Community colleges must give students instructions for applying for an associate degree using university credits and record each student who receives one.
Argument forAutomatic notices could help transfer students discover that their university coursework may count toward a community college degree.
Argument againstThe fee ban could leave colleges covering the work of reviewing credits and awarding degrees without charging students for those services.
More detail
State universities must automatically tell covered transfer students about using university credits toward a community college associate degree. This covers transfer students accepted to a State university with at least 30 community college credit hours. An associate degree is commonly called a two-year degree. The notice must explain how students can opt in to sharing transcript information between the university and community college. Receiving a notice does not guarantee a degree; students must meet the community college's degree requirements. The requirement begins with the 2026–2027 academic year. Universities must send the notice after students have earned a combined total of 60 credit hours at the community college and State university.
Community colleges and State universities cannot charge fees tied to awarding an associate degree through reverse transfer. Reverse transfer means using credits earned at a State university toward an associate degree from a community college. The ban covers application, credit review, graduation, and any other fees associated with awarding the degree. The law took effect July 31, 2026.
Community colleges must give students application instructions and record each student awarded an associate degree through reverse transfer. These duties cover students seeking an associate degree from a community college using State university credits. Colleges must record degree recipients in their student information systems. Students must agree to transcript sharing among the community colleges and State universities they attended. Students must submit an application and transcripts. The community college must check whether their coursework meets its degree requirements. The law took effect July 31, 2026. Community colleges must tell applicants whether they qualify within 30 business days after receiving an application.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 31Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0741Latest
- Jul 31Effective Date July 31, 2026
- Jul 31Governor J. B. Pritzker ApprovedBecame Law
- Jun 18Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 21Passed Both Houses
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 21Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 108-000-000Passed House
- May 21Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Jay Hoffman
- May 21Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael J. Kelly
- May 21Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Martha Deuter
- May 21Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Matt Hanson
- May 19Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
- May 19Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 12Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl
- May 12Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Aarón M. Ortíz
- May 12Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Camille Y. Lilly
- May 12Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Rick Ryan
- May 12Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Gregg Johnson
- May 12Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Barbara Hernandez
- May 12Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Dan Swanson
- May 12Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Sharon Chung
- May 12Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael Crawford
- May 7Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 7Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Steve Stadelman
- May 6Do Pass / Short Debate Higher Education Committee; 008-000-000
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 27Assigned to Higher Education CommitteeMinor
- Apr 15Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura
- Apr 8Referred to Rules Committee
- Apr 8First ReadingMinor
- Apr 8Chief House Sponsor Rep. Katie Stuart
- Mar 26Arrived in HouseMinor
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 26Third Reading - Passed; 047-000-000Passed Senate
- Feb 26Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 3, 2026
- Feb 26Second ReadingMinor
- Feb 25Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading February 26, 2026Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 25Do Pass as Amended Higher Education; 013-000-000
- Feb 25Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 AdoptedMajor
- Feb 24Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Higher Education
- Feb 23Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
- Feb 23Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Mary Edly-AllenMinor
- Feb 17Assigned to Higher EducationMinor
- Feb 5Referred to Assignments
- Feb 5First ReadingMinor
- Feb 5Filed with Secretary by Sen. Mary Edly-AllenIntroduced
Education