Pennsylvania College of Technology will allow qualified graduates of Corning Community College in New York the opportunity to enroll at Penn College at the in-state tuition rate.

According to the agreement, which was announced March 10 at Corning Community College, any student with an eligible associate degree who enrolls at Penn College from Fall 2015 through Fall 2018 will be offered the in-state rate.

Eligible degrees include Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Occupational Studies. Graduates of certificate programs are not eligible. Corning graduates may enter associate- or bachelor-degree programs at Penn College, but the college cannot guarantee acceptance into competitive-entry majors or a seat in a major that may have a waiting list.

 "The partnership between Corning Community College and Pennsylvania College of Technology is a door-opening opportunity for many of our students," Dr. Marian Eberly, vice president and dean of academic affairs at Corning Community College, said in a statement. "Together, we have developed an academically superb and affordable path for students to pursue further education that will empower graduates with greater flexibility, freedom and control of their futures."

Penn College and Corning Community College have already collaborated on articulation agreements for several technical programs.

A transfer pathway has been structured for students from Corning's machine tool technology program to enter the Bachelor of Science in manufacturing engineering technology at Penn College.

Another agreement carves the way for Corning's electrical engineering-electronics graduates to enter the Bachelor of Science in electronics and computer engineering technology at Penn College.

Students interested in taking advantage of any of these opportunities are encouraged to visit during Penn College's Spring Open House on Saturday, March 28. The application fee is waived for students with a completed Corning degree.

Students currently completing a degree are encouraged to attend Open House or visit on an academic school tour date to have their application fee waived. Open House will include a session on transferring completed degree credits to Penn College. Prior to enrollment, students must submit their official transcripts to Penn College.