The new FAR that requires f/o's to have an ATP goes into effect in August.
The regionals are requiring ATP mins now for this reason. I believe the new rules have an exception for graduates of an aviation degree program.
"Graduates of a four-year baccalaureate aviation degree program would be able to obtain an ATP with 1,000 hours of flight time, only if they also obtained a commercial pilot certificate and instrument rating from a pilot school affiliated with the university or college."
https://www.faa.gov/news/press_relea...m?newsId=13373