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Bill > HB877
VA HB877
VA HB877Public high school students; opportunity to earn transferable meta-major associate degree, etc.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
02/09/2026
02/09/2026
Crossed Over
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Public high school students; opportunity to earn transferable meta-major associate degree during high school to reduce college debt. Requires the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, in cooperation with the Virginia Community College System and each associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education and each baccalaureate public institution of higher education, to establish a program by which qualified high school students earn an associate degree in a meta-major through dual enrollment, independent dual enrollment, as defined in the bill, or a combination thereof, that (i) is fully transferable to any baccalaureate public institution of higher education that offers a program of study in such meta-major and (ii) to the extent possible, and as determined by the applicable baccalaureate public institution of higher education, satisfies discipline-specific degree requirements in the student's preferred program of study.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a program allowing qualified public high school students in Virginia to earn a transferable associate degree in a "meta-major" (a broad field of study with common foundational coursework) while still in high school, through dual enrollment or "independent dual enrollment" (taking associate degree-level courses on a community college campus). The goal is to reduce college debt by allowing students to complete a significant portion of their college education at no tuition cost. The program requires the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) to work with the Virginia Community College System and public colleges and universities to ensure these associate degrees are fully transferable to any public university offering a program in that meta-major and, where possible, satisfy specific degree requirements for the student's chosen field of study. The bill also includes provisions for counseling and advising students and parents about these opportunities and mandates that the program be data-driven and continually improved.
Committee Categories
Education, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (17)
Sam Rasoul (D)*,
Jessica Anderson (D),
Stacey Carroll (D),
Nadarius Clark (D),
Joshua Cole (D),
Nicole Cole (D),
Kelly Convirs-Fowler (D),
Lindsey Dougherty (D),
Barbara Favola (D),
Lily Franklin (D),
Elizabeth Guzmán (D),
Amy Laufer (D),
Atoosa Reaser (D),
Charlie Schmidt (D),
Phillip Scott (R),
Shelly Simonds (D),
Lee Ware (R),
Last Action
Assigned Education sub: Public Education (on 02/19/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB877 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB877) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143173.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB877/text/HB877 |
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