Two Kansas colleges have accepted the governors challenge to develop new pathways toward affordable higher education.

Cowley County Community College and Fort Hays State University officials announced Friday they've developed two degree programs that will cost less than $15,000.

The program called, 'Tiger to Tiger,' is for degrees in education or technology leadership. Students would take two years of courses while still at Cowley County, then transfer to Fort Hays.

They meet a challenge Governor Brownback issued in his state of the state address to make college more affordable.

"These are important areas in our state for education. I have made it a priority to help get more teachers, particular in our rural areas, this new pathway will help to address that problem," Gov. Sam Brownback said.

The governor's budget proposal included a million dollars to provide scholarships at the first school to meet the goal.

Lawmakers still have to approve that funding.