Postsecondary 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-level, nonsectarian courses at eligible participating post-secondary institutions. Most PSEO courses are offered on the campus of the post-secondary 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. Students must meet the PSEO residency and eligibility requirements and abide by participation limits specified in Minnesota Statutes. If a school district determines a pupil is not on track to graduate, she/he may continue to participate in PSEO on a term by term basis.
Eligibility
Colleges determine acceptance and eligibility to partake in the PSEO program and make the final decision on acceptance. We at MNCA encourage students to have at least a 3.0 GPA to show that they are ready for college level coursework. Tenth-grade students may initially enroll in one Career and Technical Education (CTE) PSEO course if they receive a reading proficiency score of “meets” or “exceeds” on the 8th grade MCA. If 10th graders taking a CTE PSEO course earn at least a grade C in that class, they may take additional postsecondary courses. If the 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 may be an alternative option to demonstrate reading proficiency. To assist the district in planning, a pupil must inform the district by October 30 or May 30 of each year of the pupil's intent to enroll in postsecondary courses during the following academic term.
PSEO Application ProcessPaperwork Deadlines:
Fall: May 30 Spring: October 30 Interested? Follow these steps to apply: 1. Discuss this option with your Learning Coach/Parent(s) or guardian then contact Mrs. Grimm, PSEO Counselor, at MNCA to let her know you are interested in participating in PSEO. This is a great time to ask questions if you have them! 2. Complete the Release Records and Letters of Recommendation Data View (paper version also available) and PSEO Agreement (return to Mrs. Grimm) with your Learning Coach. The release form allows us to send transcripts and information to the college(s) you apply to. 3. Contact the college for PSEO application or find it on their website. Complete the application and submit it to the college. Let’s Mrs. Grimm know you have applied. 4. Complete section one of PSEO Notice of Student Registration form, Mrs. Grimm will complete section 2. Submit this form, with sections 1 and 2 completed, to the college along with any other documents they have requested as part of their application process.
5. Request your official high school transcripts be sent to the college via Parchment. 6. Once accepted to the college, inform Mrs. Grimm to discuss credits, graduation requirements, etc. 7. Work with college to register for classes and send Mrs. Grimm your schedule so she can check to make sure you are fulfilling high school requirements. |
PSEO Forms & Links |
PSEO CreditsStudents earn dual-credit for the courses they are registered for at their PSEO School. Students will be responsible for sending a copy of their PSEO schedule prior to the start of each semester so it can be reviewed and for making sure official transcripts are sent at the end of the semester.
Credits need to be converted to our levels when they are earned:
Once each semester has ended, the Colleges mail official semester transcripts to the counseling office
|
Costs
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 and the district does not waive this date requirement. Funds are 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.
PSEO Courses
Students will work with the college to enroll in courses each semester. Colleges will determine what a student can register for. 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. Eligible PSEO students could take a range of classes, including general education, and career and technical courses. General education courses are usually liberal arts. Examples include English, calculus, anatomy, biology, political science, art history and psychology. Career and technical courses focus on preparing students for specific occupations and can lead to a certificate, diploma or associate degree. Examples include nursing assistant, manufacturing technician, accounting, business and engineering. Students should check in with Mrs. Grimm, to ensure they are taking courses that keep them on track for graduation. Students are responsible for providing MNCA with a copy of their college schedule each semester.
All courses taken through the PSEO program must meet graduation requirements. 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. Details about how PSEO credits transfer to MNCA can be found below.
Grading
Each year, districts must publish their grade-weighting policy on their website, including a list of courses for which students can earn weighted grades. At MNCA our honors and AP courses are weighted. PSEO grades are not weighted, and no adjustments will be made to the grade (e.g., A = A). Grades are usually sent directly to the high school from the college after the completion of courses. 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.
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 a responsible, self-starting, 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 for 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.
Work with your PSEO Counselor!
Working with your PSEO Counselor, Mrs. Grimm, ensures that the college courses you take will meet the high school requirements. The high school determines the number of credits that you will receive for courses taken in PSEO. Therefore, it is critical that you and your counselor discuss the credits needed. Check each semester to determine your continued credit needs. You can reach Mrs. Grimm at 1-651-560-3359 or through WebMail.
Reminders regarding applications:
*Be aware of deadlines! Do not wait until the last minute to do your paperwork. Please contact the colleges for specific deadline information. The MNCA deadline is May 30, but some colleges have earlier deadlines.
*If the college requires an assessment test, please contact the college counseling office for necessary testing information.
*After completing college registration, you need to send proof of registration and your schedule of courses to Mrs. Grimm each semester. In order to be sure you are taking the credits needed to graduate, it helps to have a list of each of the courses you are signed up for and how many credits each is worth.
Additional Information:
*Enrolling in a PSEO course does not prohibit a student from participating in activities sponsored by the high school.
*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.
*By March 1 of each year, MNCA will provide PSEO information to all students in grades 8-11 and their families via this website and offer a PSEO Information Session in LiveLesson.
*For current information about the PSEO program, visit the Minnesota Department of Education’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) webpage.
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 and the district does not waive this date requirement. Funds are 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.
PSEO Courses
Students will work with the college to enroll in courses each semester. Colleges will determine what a student can register for. 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. Eligible PSEO students could take a range of classes, including general education, and career and technical courses. General education courses are usually liberal arts. Examples include English, calculus, anatomy, biology, political science, art history and psychology. Career and technical courses focus on preparing students for specific occupations and can lead to a certificate, diploma or associate degree. Examples include nursing assistant, manufacturing technician, accounting, business and engineering. Students should check in with Mrs. Grimm, to ensure they are taking courses that keep them on track for graduation. Students are responsible for providing MNCA with a copy of their college schedule each semester.
All courses taken through the PSEO program must meet graduation requirements. 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. Details about how PSEO credits transfer to MNCA can be found below.
Grading
Each year, districts must publish their grade-weighting policy on their website, including a list of courses for which students can earn weighted grades. At MNCA our honors and AP courses are weighted. PSEO grades are not weighted, and no adjustments will be made to the grade (e.g., A = A). Grades are usually sent directly to the high school from the college after the completion of courses. 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.
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 a responsible, self-starting, 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 for 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.
Work with your PSEO Counselor!
Working with your PSEO Counselor, Mrs. Grimm, ensures that the college courses you take will meet the high school requirements. The high school determines the number of credits that you will receive for courses taken in PSEO. Therefore, it is critical that you and your counselor discuss the credits needed. Check each semester to determine your continued credit needs. You can reach Mrs. Grimm at 1-651-560-3359 or through WebMail.
Reminders regarding applications:
*Be aware of deadlines! Do not wait until the last minute to do your paperwork. Please contact the colleges for specific deadline information. The MNCA deadline is May 30, but some colleges have earlier deadlines.
*If the college requires an assessment test, please contact the college counseling office for necessary testing information.
*After completing college registration, you need to send proof of registration and your schedule of courses to Mrs. Grimm each semester. In order to be sure you are taking the credits needed to graduate, it helps to have a list of each of the courses you are signed up for and how many credits each is worth.
Additional Information:
*Enrolling in a PSEO course does not prohibit a student from participating in activities sponsored by the high school.
*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.
*By March 1 of each year, MNCA will provide PSEO information to all students in grades 8-11 and their families via this website and offer a PSEO Information Session in LiveLesson.
*For current information about the PSEO program, visit the Minnesota Department of Education’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) webpage.
