PSEO
Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)
Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a program that allows 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade students to earn both high school and college credit while still in high school, through enrollment in and successful completion of college nonsectarian courses at any eligible postsecondary institution in Minnesota. Most PSEO courses are offered on the campus of the postsecondary institution; some courses are offered online. Students must meet the PSEO residency and eligibility requirements and abide by participation limits specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09. To assist the district in planning, a student must inform the district/charter school by May 30 (for fall term enrollment) or October 30 (for spring term enrollment) of their intent to enroll in postsecondary courses. The district/charter school must provide counseling services to students and their parents or guardian before the student enrolls in courses to ensure that the students and their parents or guardian are fully aware of the risks and possible consequences of enrolling in postsecondary courses.
Student Eligibility
Eleventh and 12th-grade students may take PSEO courses on a full- or part-time basis. Each participating college or university sets its own admissions requirements for enrollment into the PSEO courses.
Tenth-grade students are eligible to enroll in one Career and Technical Education (CTE) course if they receive a reading proficiency score of “meets” or “exceeds” on the 8th grade MCA. If a 10th-grade student did not take the MCA in 8th grade, another reading assessment accepted by the enrolling postsecondary institution can be substituted. For students with disabilities, there is an alternative option to demonstrate reading proficiency. A 10th-grade student who enrolls in one CTE course and earns at least a grade C in the first term of enrollment, may take additional postsecondary courses in the subsequent term, not limited to CTE. Access the list of postsecondary institutions offering approved CTE courses to 10th grade students. If the district/charter school determines a student is academically not on track to graduate, the student may continue to participate in PSEO on a term-by-term basis beyond their cohort graduation date.
At many colleges the admissions requirement is that Juniors for Class Rank need to be in the top one-third of their class; while Seniors need to be in the top half of their class. Requirements for admission to a Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) school under the PSEO program can be accessed here: http://www.minnstate.edu/admissions/pseo/index.html
Tuition & Fees
There is no charge to PSEO students for tuition, books or fees for items that are required to participate in a course; however, students may incur fees for equipment that becomes their property when the course or program is completed, textbooks that are not returned to the postsecondary institution according to their policies, or for tuition costs if they do not notify the district by May 30 or October 30 and the district does not waive the date requirement.
Funding is available to help pay transportation expenses for qualifying students to participate in PSEO courses on college campuses. For more information on these funds, access the PSEO Mileage Reimbursement Program Instructions.
Other Helpful Information for Public School Students
Enrolling in a PSEO course does not prohibit a student from participating in activities sponsored by the high school.
High schools are required to provide access to space and technology during the core school day -- if needed -- for a student to participate in PSEO, but may not require students to attend the high school during online PSEO courses or remain in the high school for a specific amount of time. Students are expected to follow safety guidelines and school policy for leaving and entering the school building.
PSEO students must provide the school with a copy of their grades in each PSEO course.
Districts must transcript high school credits earned through PSEO by a ratio prescribed in statute. Districts have the authority to decide which subject area and standards the PSEO course meets. If there is a dispute between the district and the student regarding the number of credits granted for a particular course, the student may appeal the board's decision to the commissioner. The commissioner's decision regarding the number of credits will be final. Grade weighting policies for PSEO courses vary by district/charter school.
Postsecondary institutions are required to allow PSEO students to enroll in online courses consistent with the institution’s policy regarding postsecondary student enrollment in online courses.
For current information about the PSEO program, visit the Minnesota Department of Education’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) webpage.
Grading
Grades are usually sent directly to the high school from the college after the completion of the course. However, students are ultimately responsible for making sure the high school receives the grades. All grades must be reported. The grades reported by the college are the grades placed on the student’s high school transcript. Grades are not weighted and no adjustments will be made to the grade.
This is not an opportunity to try college, this IS college.
Students should start by planning early. The decision to participate is an important one. The student will be expected to be responsible, self-starting, and an independent learner. Students should seek out additional information and counseling at the high school and at the post-secondary institution to ensure that they are making the best choice for themselves and their educational future. Once you register for college courses, you have started a college transcript. All courses dropped on PSEO must be first approved by your high school counselor. It is essential that you follow this procedure when dropping/canceling a college class, as colleges have designated drop/withdrawal periods; failure to comply will result in a grade of “F” on your high school and college transcripts. Colleges do have the right to restrict the number and kinds of courses PSEO students may take. You must manage your time, study more outside of class, and meet deadlines without reminders. The Minnesota High School League rules allow you to participate in high school extra-curricular activities or athletics at either the high school or postsecondary institution, but not both.
Applying for PSEO
Follow these steps:
1. Discuss this option with your parents/guardians.
2. Go to the college's website and apply using the Online PSEO application.
3. Once accepted, see your counselor to discuss credits, graduation requirements, etc.
4. The PSEO Notice of Student Registration form (state form) must be completed and signed by your parent/guardian if you are under age 18, and your counselor, before you register each quarter/semester to ensure the school district’s payment of tuition.
5. After you register at the college, see your school counselor for a schedule change.
Work with your High School Counselor
You, the student, will be responsible for meeting the graduation requirements of ISD 728. Working with your assigned high school counselor ensures that the college courses you take will meet the high school requirements. The high school grants the number of credits that you will receive for courses taken through PSEO. Therefore, it is critical that you and your counselor discuss the credits needed. Please make sure to check each semester to determine your continued credit needs.
Important to Remember
- Once accepted at the college; you must turn in a signed PSEO agreement form.
- After completing your college registration, you must bring proof of registration to the counseling office each semester. Counselors must have a copy of what you have registered for every semester in order to be sure you are taking the credits needed to graduate.
- Grades earned at the college are not weighted. The grade on the college transcript is the grade that is entered on the high school transcript.
- Each college credit is equal to .50 high school credit. Example: A 4 credit college course would equal 2 high school credits (4 x .50 =2)