"Often transfer students are forced to pay for the same college course, adding unnecessary costs and time to earn their degree. This partnership will eliminate that burden," said Governor Corzine. "By establishing this cooperative partnership between our institutions of higher learning, we are enabling students an opportunity to take that next step from a two-year college program to a four-year program."

The collective statewide agreements will provide for the transfer of academic credits from a completed associate of arts or associate of science degree program to a baccalaureate degree program and must be fully operational by September 1, 2008.

The transfer agreement must include a listing of the general education core courses; policies and procedures for the transfer and application of academic credits from a completed associate degree program to a baccalaureate degree program, policies and procedures for the implementation of an appeals process for students and institutions to resolve disputes regarding the transfer of academic credits and policies and procedures for the annual review and update of the agreement.

"By this time next year, the hurdles currently faced by many students transferring from two-year institutions to state colleges and universities will be eliminated," said Assemblywoman Pamela R. Lampitt (D-Camden). "Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Governor Corzine's staff, my legislative colleagues, leaders of New Jersey's two- and four-year institutions, and many others, county college students now have a clearer path to bachelor's degrees."

"The decision to attend a two or four year school of higher education is many times based on affordability," said Senator Ronald L. Rice, (D-Essex). "Most students can't afford to retake classes when they transfer to a school's four-year program. This new seamless transfer system will encourage students to continue their educational goals without fear of losing credits for their hard work."

"For many students on limited incomes, community college is a gateway to a brighter future," said Senator Joseph V. Doria, Jr. (D-Hudson), a member of the Senate Education Committee. "In New Jersey, we have a record of helping students continue their education at the community college level, through the NJ STARS program. With this law in place, we are further supporting community college students, by allowing them to seamlessly transfer to a four-year school and continue their studies."

"Today's enactment of this measure is a significant win for county college students and their families," said Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan (D-Middlesex), who is Chairman of the Assembly Higher Education Committee. "Requiring students to relearn identical material simply because they transferred to a different school is redundant and costly. A streamlined transfer system will better serve students and the state's higher education institutions."

"NJ STARS was created to break down barriers to higher education, but rigid credit transfer rules are serving as a new roadblock," said Assemblyman Craig Stanley (D-Essex), chairman of the Assembly Education Committee. "If we are to realize the promise of providing a college education for all our high-achieving students, we must do everything possible to remove these frustrating hurdles that can discourage students from moving forward."

Primary Assembly sponsors were Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (District 6); Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan (District 18); Assemblyman Michael Doherty (District 23) and Assemblyman Craig Stanley (District 28). Primary Senate sponsors were: Senator Ronald L. Rice (District 28) and Senator Joseph V. Doria (District 31). - Source: Office of the Governor