PSEO: Postsecondary Enrollment Options (college credit during high school)
From the Minnesota Department of Education website: (link below)
Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a program that allows 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade students to earn college credit tuition free while still in high school, through enrollment in and successful completion of college courses. With traditional PSEO, these courses are generally offered on the campus of the postsecondary institution; some courses are offered online.
Most PSEO courses are only open to high school students during their 11th- and 12th-grade 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. Students must meet the PSEO eligibility requirements and abide by participation limits outlined in the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act and described in the PSEO Reference Guide (below).
PSEO for Students and Families:
Visit About PSEO for a short guide about benefits of the program, making the decision to participate and how to apply.
How to Enroll in PSEO
Students must meet the PSEO eligibility requirements by grade level and abide by participation limits outlined in the PSEO Reference Guide (download above). All students should meet with their high school counselor to discuss eligibility, graduation requirements and the benefits and risks of enrolling in the PSEO program.
Interested and eligible 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade students should contact the postsecondary institution to find out about their admissions requirements, which courses are offered, and what the application process and timeline is at that institution.
All students must complete the PSEO Notice of Student Registration (NOSR) for the school year and term during which they intend to enroll.
Access PSEO NOSR forms on the MDE School Finance Page.
Public school students should work directly with their high school counselor to complete the PSEO Notice of Student Registration. The school/district completes section two of the form.
Inform your District/School of your Intent to Enroll by May 30
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 this deadline on the PSEO Notice of Student Registration, the family may be responsible for the postsecondary tuition expense.
Participating Institutions and Course Offerings
Postsecondary institutions must be located in Minnesota and approved by the Minnesota Department of Education to offer PSEO as defined by the PSEO statute. Each participating college and university sets their own requirements and deadlines for enrollment into PSEO courses and programs. Students may enroll in more than one institution during the same term.
Visit the Eligible Institutions and Courses page to find out more about Minnesota campuses offering PSEO and what kinds of courses are PSEO-eligible by state statute and MDE policy.
PSEO for 10th Graders to take Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses
Eligible 10th grade public, nonpublic and home school students may enroll in one state-paid Career Technical Education (CTE) course during the first term of PSEO enrollment. Not all institutions offer PSEO to 10th grade students or have CTE courses. Visit our PSEO for 10th Graders (CTE Pathway) page to learn about student and course requirements for the 10th Grade CTE Pathway. Please contact each institution for specific course questions.
For a list of campuses offering PSEO to 10th grade students, including eligible CTE courses, access the Participating Postsecondary Institutions List.