Presidents of Grand Valley State University, Ferris State University, Western Michigan University and Grand Rapids Community College signed a pact early June that will act as stepping-stone for students who transfer from GRCC with an associates degree.

Numbers show about 1,000 students transferred from GRCC during the 2009-2010 academic year with 45 or more credits without earning an associates degree. It takes 62 credits to qualify for an associate degree from GRCC.

The agreement would work by allowing students to transfer credits from GRCC to the three other institutions that signed the pact.

In a press release, GRCC Dean of Student Affairs, Tina Hoxie, said that an associate’s degree could act as a safeguard for students who transfer out of GRCC but who might not eventually compete a bachelor’s degree.