Every smart grade-schooler knows that 2+2=4. But community college transfer students have applied this elementary formula as a means to cut costs on a four-year education.

"A 'two-plus-two' Guaranteed Transfer Articulation Agreement means that a student attends a community college for the first two years and then automatically transfers to a four-year institution," said Robert Chonko, dean of admission at Longwood University.

"These 'guaranteed agreements' are with all 23 system-wide community colleges," said Jeffrey Kraus, assistant vice chancellor for public relations for Virginia's Community College System (VCCS).

Historically the "guaranteed admission" program grew out of the Higher Education Restructuring Act, which requires universal transfer of credit from the two-year community college to participating four-year institutions. These credits are designed to transfer from any one of Virginia's 23 community colleges.

Thousands of system-wide guaranteed transfer agreements have been negotiated by the Virginia Community College System. To date, more than 20 of the commonwealth's four-year institutions (12 public; 8 private) have secured acceptance of students who graduated from a Virginia community college.

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At the very heart of the program, guaranteed admission agreements are all about partnerships. The four-year colleges are in partnership with the two-year community colleges. And the students are in partnership with both institutions, as they set about to meet the specific requirements the public and private educational institutions clearly stipulate to qualify for acceptance.

When students opt to take the college transfer route, they learn the value of both a good education and a dollar, as a year at a community college is roughly one-third the cost of a year at a four-year institution. The savings are so substantial because students typically live at home and commute to campus.

According to Chonko, the cost of a full course load (based on 30 credits) at Longwood University is $14,300 per year. This figure includes room, board, tuition and mandatory fees. He estimates the average annual cost of books at about $800. In contrast, one year at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College is $2,404 (tuition and fees only), with books averaging about $650 per year.

The guidelines for guaranteed admission vary from institution to institution.

For example, a community college student must earn a two-year associate of arts or sciences degree to be guaranteed admission into a four-year college, but the required grade point average (GPA) may vary. For example, the University of Virginia requires a 3.4 GPA; Longwood University, a 2.5; and the College of William and Mary, a 3.6.

"Starting at the community college is a great way for the 'undecided' student to explore different educational opportunities at a relatively low cost," said Diane Brasington, associate vice president of policy and institutional effectiveness at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.

One-third of Virginia's community college students are in courses designed to transfer, and the average student lives within a half-hour drive from the community college campus.

An ideal community college candidate is an open-minded, goal-oriented individual who thrives best in a learning environment that caters to the individual and who enjoys being in a campus setting that feels like a community.

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VCCS has launched a new Web site, designed to help students seeking information about transferring to a four-year college.

At www.myfuture.vccs.edu/transfer students can click on logos from four-year colleges and universities that provide a myriad of details about guaranteed admission agreements.

"We emphasize '2 steps 2 transfer,' with the first step identifying colleges to which you might want to transfer," said Monty Sullivan, vice chancellor for academic services for Virginia's community colleges.

"The second step is planning your program with a college adviser or counselor."

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Community colleges are expanding their campuses to meet the needs of the community. In Williamsburg, ground has broken recently for a new school, "The Thomas Nelson Community College Historic Triangle Campus."

"Our community college enrollment is in record territory," said Kraus, who urges students to consider balancing quality and cost when evaluating where to get an education.

"The fastest-growing population segment for us are students between 18 and 24, but not every 18-year-old high school graduate is ready to commute hundreds of miles away from home to live in a dorm."