SOLDOTNA -- Alaska Christian College, a small school in Soldotna catering to Alaska Native students, has been accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Learning, the college announced recently.

The accreditation gives students opportunities for financial aid administered by the U.S. Department of Education, and lets them transfer credits.

The college, which has about 48 students, offers a two-year diploma of biblical and theological studies, as well as a one-year certificate, according to its Web site. It plans to offer an associate's degree by 2016.