(WSIL) -- Saluki Step Ahead is an agreement between SIU Carbondale and the Illinois Community College Board.
The agreement allows community colleges from all over Illinois to join the program and help community college students seamlessly transfer credits to SIU, and complete their bachelor's degree online.
Saluki Step Ahead allows students to have the option to earn degrees at a lower cost in six academic programs.
The program would let community college transfers attend SIU who would otherwise not be able to travel to the university.
The ICCB Executive Director Brian Durham said the program is a benefit to SIU as well as the students who want to continue their education.
"If a college signs on to the agreement, do it from anywhere in the state, they can maintain their family responsibilities, keep their job, do all those kind of things that we all have to do while also pursuing an education is a win-win," said Durham.
Shawnee Community College has already signed on to the agreement.
Southeastern Illinois College's President Dr. Jonah Rice sent this statement to News 3:
The transfer students from community colleges who participate in the program will pay the community college rate for their first two years of study with SIU--and be eligible to receive an annual four thousand dollar scholarship for the third and fourth years.
