Officials at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo and Hawai'i Community College signed a new agreement yesterday to allow students beginning their college education at the community college to more easily move on to complete their studies at UH-Hilo.

The new Degree Pathways Partnership Program makes students who finish associate degrees in selected community college programs eligible for admission to the corresponding UH-Hilo program, provided they have the required grade-point averages.

The agreement was signed by UH-Hilo Chancellor Rose Tseng and HCC Chancellor Rockne Freitas.

Programs at the colleges that are already participating in the program or are expected to do so soon include business and economics, administration of justice, agriculture and forestry.