PSEO
ZIMMERMAN HIGH SCHOOL
Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)
What is Post Secondary Enrollment Options?
Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) allows high school juniors and seniors to take courses, full-time or part-time, at a post-secondary institution for college and high school credit. Sophomores may enroll in 1 career or technical education course each semester at a MnSCU college or university if they have attained a "Meet or Exceed" on the 8th grade MCA reading test and meet other enrollment standards established by the college. Most PSEO courses are offered on the campus of the postsecondary institution; some are offered online. The program provides students with a greater variety of class offerings and the opportunity to pursue more challenging coursework than may be available at the high school. The tuition, fees and required textbooks are at no cost to students.
Eligibility:
You are eligible if you are in grade 11 or 12, enrolled in high school, and meet the admissions requirements of the postsecondary college or university you wish to attend. Each college/university sets its own requirements for enrollment into PSEO courses so the postsecondary institution will determine eligibility. Example of current standards:
University of Minnesota: Top 10-15% of Class
State Colleges and Community Colleges: Juniors - top 1/3, Seniors - top 1/2 of class
Private Colleges: Top 20% of 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
Institutions Available:
Eligible institutions include the University of Minnesota and its branches; most state universities, community colleges and technical colleges; private, Minnesota, two or four-year, residential, degree granting, liberal arts colleges; non-profit, degree granting trade schools; or accredited opportunities industrialization centers in Minnesota.
Interested?
Follow these steps:
1. Discuss this option with your parent(s) or guardian.
2. Go online and fill out the PSEO application or contact the college.
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.
Costs:
The costs of tuition, books and lab fees will be covered by the school district as part of your high school education. You will be responsible for payment of non-consumable tools and equipment. The books are to be returned to the college directly, as the books belong to the college. Failure to return books may result in a fine/fee or withholding of your transcript by the college.
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 (e.g., A = A).
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.
Work with your High School Counselor!
You, the student, will be responsible for meeting the graduation requirements of District 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. Check each semester to determine your continued credit needs. Appointments are necessary; please plan ahead. Please call the counseling office to make an appointment.
Important to Remember
- Once accepted at the college, you must turn in a signed PSEO agreement. This must be on file with your counselor in order to change your high school schedule.
- 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)
CONVERSION OF COLLEGE PSEO CREDITS
College Semester Credit High School Semester Equivalent
1 0.5
2 1.0
3 1.5
4 2.0