PSEO
Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)
Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a program that allows public and nonpublic students in 10th, 11th and 12th grades to earn college credit while still in high school, through enrollment in and successful completion of college nonsectarian courses at eligible postsecondary institutions. Students generate both college credit and high school credit by successful completion of the course. Most PSEO courses are offered on the campus of the postsecondary institution; some courses are offered online. Each participating college or university sets its own admissions requirements for enrollment into the PSEO courses. Eleventh and 12th-grade students may take PSEO courses on a full- or part-time basis; 10th-graders are eligible to enroll in PSEO on a more limited basis (see note below). Students must meet the PSEO residency and eligibility requirements and abide by participation limits specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09.
How to earn college credit while in High School
PSEO for 10th-Graders to take Career and Technical Education (CTE) Courses
Legislation allows public and nonpublic 10th-grade students to enroll initially in one Career and Technical Education (CTE) course through PSEO. If the student earns a “C” or higher grade in this first course, she/he is eligible to take additional postsecondary courses while in 10th grade. In order to be eligible, a 10th-grade student must have met the proficiency level of “meets or exceeds” on the 8th-grade MCA reading test. If the student did not take the MCA, another reading assessment accepted by the enrolling postsecondary institution can be substituted. For students with disabilities, there is an alternative options to demonstrate reading proficiency. Access the Alternate Eligibility Options Policy and Modification Request Form below.
Eligible Courses and Institutions
Courses taken through PSEO must meet graduation requirements at their high school. Only nonsectarian and non-developmental courses are considered eligible by statute. Courses must be offered by Minnesota PSEO eligible postsecondary institutions. Access the list of Participating Postsecondary Institutions for a list of schools and their contact information. 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.
How to Enroll in PSEO
Students must meet the PSEO eligibility requirements and abide by participation limits outlined in the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act and explained in the PSEO Reference Guide (below). Interested and eligible 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade students should contact the postsecondary institution to find out their admissions requirements, which courses are offered and what the application process/timeline is at that institution. Public school students should meet with their high school counselor to discuss graduation requirements and the benefits and risks of enrolling in the PSEO program. All students must complete the PSEO Notice of Student Registration (listed at the bottom of this page) for the school year during which they intend to enroll.
Tuition, Fees and Transportation Reimbursements
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 or for textbooks that are not returned to the postsecondary institution according to their policies. Public school students may be responsible for tuition costs if they do not notify the district by May 30 and the district does not waive this date requirement. Funds are available to help pay transportation expenses for PSEO students whose families are at or below the poverty level, as determined by the federal government, to participate in PSEO courses on college campuses. Access the PSEO Mileage Reimbursement Program Instructions. If you have any questions regarding the mileage reimbursement for low-income students' participation in the PSEO program, contact Kelly Garvey at 651-582-8524.
Steps to Becoming a PSEO Student
Additional Information for Public School Students
Participation in High School Activities
Enrolling in a PSEO course does not prohibit a student from participating in activities sponsored by the high school.
Notification of Intent to Enroll
To assist the district in planning, public school students are required to inform their district of their intent to enroll in PSEO courses during the following school year by May 30. If public school students do not notify the enrolling district by May 30 and the enrolling district does not waive the deadline, the family may be responsible for the postsecondary tuition expense.
Dissemination of Information
By March 1 of each year, or three weeks prior to the date a student registers for courses for the following school year (whichever is earlier), a district must provide up-to-date information on the district's or charter school’s website and in materials that are distributed to all students and their parents in grades eight through grade 11 about the program, including information about enrollment requirements and the ability to earn postsecondary credit.
District Grade Weighting Policies and Access to Technology for PSEO students
Each year, districts must publish their grade-weighting policy on their website, including a list of courses for which students can earn weighted grades. School districts must allow a PSEO student reasonable access to the high school building, computers and/or other technology resources during regular school hours to participate in PSEO courses, whether on-line or on campus.
Credits and Transcripts
Districts must transcript credits earned in 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.
Extended Eligibility for Public School Students Not on Track to Graduate
If a school district determines a pupil is not on track to graduate, she/he may still continue to participate in PSEO. For the purposes of PSEO eligibility, school districts must complete the Verification of Extended PSEO Eligibility Form (below) for each instructional term and postsecondary institution the student attends.
PSEO State-Approved Early/Middle College Programs
PSEO funding can be used for developmental coursework only when a student enrolls full-time in a State-Approved Alternative Program’s Early/Middle College. This program must be specifically designed to allow the student to earn dual high school and college credit with a well-defined pathway leading to a postsecondary degree or credential. Each alternative program and its partnering postsecondary institution must complete and submit the Early/Middle College Program Identification Application and companion Narrative Template (both available below) with required documents to be considered for PSEO funding for developmental coursework for alternative students.