PSEO: Post Secondary Enrollment Options
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-level, nonsectarian courses at eligible participating postsecondary institutions. 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 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 may take one career/technical PSEO course. If they earn at least a grade C in that class, they may take additional PSEO courses.
There is no charge to PSEO students for tuition, books or fees for items that are required to participate in a course. Students must meet the PSEO residency and eligibility requirements and abide by participation limits specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09. Funds are available to help pay transportation expenses for qualifying students to participate in PSEO courses on college campuses. Schools must provide information to all students in grades 8-11 and their families by March 1, every year. Students must notify their school by May 30 if they want to participate in PSEO for the following school year. For current information about the PSEO program, visit the Minnesota Department of Education’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) webpage.
Schools must provide information to all students in grades 8-11 and their families by March 1, every year. Students must notify their school by May 30 if they want to participate in PSEO for the following school year. For current information about the PSEO program, visit the Minnesota Department of Education’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) webpage.
Students should seek guidance from their high school counselor to determine if PSEO is right for them and fits into their academic plans. To begin the PSEO application process:
- Student will discuss PSEO plans with high school counselor.
- The school counselor verifies student’s eligibility and provides state form for PSEO.
- Student will apply directly to the individual college and complete required PSEO form.
- Students should remember that they must meet high school graduation requirements while participating in this programming opportunity. Participation in PSEO must result in a reduced course schedule at your high school.
Please notify your school counselor of the final decision to participate in PSEO by the deadline in May preceding the upcoming school year.
Important information for 10th graders:
In 2012, new legislation (Minn. Stat. § 124D.09), was passed that allows eligible 10th-grade students to enroll in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course through PSEO.
In order to be eligible, a 10th-grade student must:
- Have taken the 8th-grade MCA reading test in the 8th-grade and have met the composite proficiency level of “meets or exceeds”.
- Meet specific CTE course eligibility requirements and pre-requisites set by the institution,
- Be enrolled in a Minnesota public school.
If the students successfully completes the course with a “C” or higher, the college or university must allow a 10th grade student to enroll in additional PSEO courses.