HARRISBURG — A unique partnership announced Wednesday will enable Butler County Community College students to transfer to Southern New Hampshire University's online program to complete their bachelor's degrees.

John Sygielski, president and CEO of Harrisburg Area Community College and board chairman for the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges, joined leaders from all 14 community colleges in Pennsylvania in digitally signing the articulation agreement between the two-year colleges and SNHU.

Many of the leaders brought together via video conference clapped and cheered after the agreement was signed.

Sygielski said the partnership is unprecedented in the state because all 14 community colleges signed up with SNHU.

Students can transfer up to 90 credits to SNHU when they enroll in one of the university's more than 200 online programs. Students who transfer to SNHU as part of the agreement will receive a 10 percent discount in regular tuition from the four-year university.

New transferees will receive a waiver of the standard SNHU application fee, and applicable military training will be considered by SNHU.

Nick Neupauer, BC3 president, said the partnership will be good for BC3 students.

“The name of the game in 2020 in higher education is partnerships and collaborations, so I think this agreement between the community colleges and SNHU certainly speaks to that model, and in the end it will give our students more choices and will be very beneficial for them,” Neupauer said.

Employees and their immediate family members from all 14 community colleges also are eligible to transfer to SNHU.

“Community colleges work hard to provide students with quality education at an affordable price, which is why we're so pleased to announce our partnership with Southern New Hampshire University,” Sygielski said.

The 14 community college presidents, including BC3's Neupauer, hope the agreement will help Pennsylvania achieve its goal of 60 percent of residents aged 25 to 64 having a postsecondary degree or industry-recognized credential by 2025.

“At SNHU, we seek to streamline the transfer process for community college graduates across the nation, and we are excited to team up with all 14 community colleges in the (state),” said Jennifer Batchelor, vice president of academic programs at SNHU. “Through this new partnership, students will be able to continue on a transformational journey, which will not only impact their lives but also those of their families and communities.”

A news release issued Wednesday by the commission said transferring students will pay a tuition rate “which is more affordable than nearly every other public option in Pennsylvania, depending on the student's program of study and credit load.”

Neupauer said BC3 has transfer agreements with more than 30 institutions, and the new SNHU deal will only add to the students' choices.

“This is an example of allowing our students further opportunities to pursue a baccalaureate degree,” Neupauer said.

He added BC3 maintains agreements with several other online four-year colleges and universities, including Franklin, Grand Canyon, Drexel, Waynesburg, Chatham and the University of Pittsburgh, as well as many others.

“In all of our agreements, we look out for what is best for our students,” Neupauer said.