; and (ii) a plan that will enable the State to make the certification by not later than 5 years after the date on which the State first received a grant under this subpart. (2) Transfer pathways (A) In general Not later than 3 years after the date on which a State first receives a grant under this subpart, such State shall certify to the Secretary that each public institution of higher education participating in any program under this title has entered into an articulation agreement (as defined in section 486A(a)) held in common with the other public institutions of higher education located in such State that are participating in any such program. Such articulation agreement shall, at a minimum, include— (i) a common general education core curriculum consisting of not less than 30 credit hours or the equivalent coursework, which are fully transferrable to any such public institution of higher education in the State toward meeting specific degree or certificate requirements; (ii) common course numbering for substantially similar courses in such common general education core curriculum; and (iii) a guarantee that an associate degree in an academic major in the arts or sciences that is awarded by such a public institution of higher education in the State on or after the date that is not later than 3 years after the date on which the State first receives a grant under this subpart shall be fully transferrable to, and credited as, the first 2 years of a related baccalaureate program at a public institution of higher education in such State. (B) Failure to certify If a State does not provide the certification required under subparagraph (A) by the date specified in such subparagraph, the State shall submit to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require— (i) a written explanation for the delay in making the certification