Post Secondary Credit

Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a program that allows 10th, 11th an 12th grade students the opportunity to earn college credit for courses completed while still in high school. Courses are generally offered on college campuses or at their local high school. Some colleges may also offer on-line courses. PSEO options are available at participating public and private institutions. The State of Minnesota and District 742 pays for tuition and books for PSEO classes. Students may see their high school counselor for more information and application procedures.

Most PSEO courses are only open to high school students during their junior and senior year, with each participating college and university setting their own requirements for enrollment into the PSEO courses and programs. Students may take PSEO courses on a full or part-time basis, beginning in their junior year of high school. For full-time PSEO students who begin in their junior year, it is possible to graduate from high school with enough college credits for an Associate’s Degree.

The Minnesota State Colleges and University system generally requires high school seniors to rank in the upper ½ of their class or score at or above the 50th percentile on a nationally norm reference test such as the ACT or SAT. High School juniors must rank in the upper 1/3 of their class or score at or above the 70th percentile on a nationally standardized norm reference test such as the ACT or SAT. If schools do not rank, a specific grade point average will be needed by the admitting college. Colleges and universities may admit students based on other documentation of ability. Please see the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities website for admissions standards for MNSCU schools.

Sophomores may enroll in a career or technical education course at a MnSCU college or university if they have attained a passing score or met the 8th grade standard on the 8th grade Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment in reading and math. Colleges may have other prerequisites or course requirements that need to be met for admission. If a sophomore receives a “C” or higher in the course, they will be allowed to take additional career or technical courses. A student who first enrolls PSEO as a sophomore and wishes to enroll in general education courses as an 11th or 12th grade student must take the system Assessment for Course Placement and achieve the required score for admission. Colleges and universities may require sophomores to meet with a college counselor.

Private colleges and universities may admit students based on their own admission standards. Some examples of private colleges are St. Mary’s, Rasmussen and College of St. Scholastica.

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. If you have any questions regarding the mileage reimbursement for low-income students participation in the Postsecondary Programs contact Kelly Wosika at 651-582-8855.

Contact your High School Guidance Counselor for more information about this exciting program