Students from Butler County Community College and other area community colleges can take classes at Robert Morris University at the cost of community college classes while they are working toward their associate degrees under an agreement the schools signed Thursday.

The RMU Gateway initiative will allow a community college student to be admitted directly to Robert Morris and take up to 12 credits at the same time that they earn an associate degree from their community college. Tuition for those credits will be equal to what students pay at the community college, resulting in a significant cost savings.

Students enrolled in the RMU Gateway program will also be eligible to live in university housing and purchase the university's meal plan while they complete their associate degree. After a student has completed their associate degree, they will transfer to RMU, where they will be eligible for annual scholarships ranging from $3,000 to $12,000 per year, depending on their GPA. That is in addition to any other financial aid for which they may qualify.

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