WKU signed a dual admissions agreement with Volunteer State Community College on Thursday, which will make it easier for their students to transfer to WKU.

Eric Melcher, communications coordinator for Volunteer State Community College, said WKU is a popular place for students to transfer because WKU offers tuition breaks for neighboring counties in Tennessee that border Kentucky.

He said about 100 students transferred from Vol State to WKU last year and this deal will create a direct path for students to follow from community college to a bachelor’s degree.

“It’s a great opportunity for our students,” Melcher said.

President Gary Ransdell said in a press release that WKU has seven similar agreements with Kentucky community and technical colleges.

“Our Tennessee connections are strong – we have nearly 10,000 WKU alumni in Tennessee, and we have a great history with Vol State students transferring to WKU,” Ransdell said in the press release. “We are pleased to formalize this partnership, which will expand access to affordable higher education and ultimately result in more students earning bachelor’s degrees.”