SAN BERNARDINO - University budget cuts and potential enrollment freezes don't phase Craig Gains. The 35-year-old San Bernardino Valley College student already has a spot at Cal State San Bernardino waiting for him.

The two schools signed an agreement Thursday morning to grant students admission to both at the same time. Gaines and four other students signed up for the program minutes later.

"It's kind of like a free ticket to ride,' Gains said. "You're locked in there. It takes a lot of the weight off your mind so you can focus on studying, not where you're going to study.'

Students in the dual admission program would complete their lower-level classes at the college before transferring to the university. As long as they maintain a 2.0 grade point average, they'll have access to special services at both campuses.

The university's decision to close winter and spring admissions this year due to budget cuts won't affect the dual admission program.

The arrangement, said university President Al Karnig, will ease enrollment worries in the long run by helping students get through college "successfully and swiftly to liberate space for other students.'

"This is exactly what we should be doing, given the current budget situation,' Karnig said.

Students in the program will be able to enroll in one Cal State course per term for free as long as there is space and both campuses approve. Officials hope this will make SBVC transfer students more comfortable when they make the jump to Cal State San Bernardino.

When they do jump, their admission fee will be waived.

The college's transfer director and a university representative will hold seminars at the college each term to clarify course requirements and streamline the transfer process.

Community college students often transfer with credits that don't count toward their degree. This should fix that. Students will also have early contact with the academic department they'll be entering.

Students in the joint program will also get full access to Cal State San Bernardino's library, athletic events and other programs for the same prices as university students. Excluded are health center services, services to students with disabilities and membership in and activities of chartered clubs and organizations.

Both schools will evaluate the agreement yearly. After three years, they'll decide to modify, end or continue the program.

San Bernardino Valley College is also putting together a scholarship for students in the program. Transfer Center Director Pamela Slade hopes the scholarship will pay for enrollment fees and books at Cal State San Bernardino for as many students as possible.

As the closest two-year college to Cal State San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College sends about 350 students to the university each year. That's more than any other two-year college except Riverside Community College. San Bernardino Valley College may work on a similar agreement with UC Riverside next.