Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)
Earn College Credit While Still in High School
Postsecondary Enrollment Options, commonly known as PSEO, is a Minnesota program that allows eligible students to earn both high school and college credit by successfully completing nonsectarian college courses at an eligible Minnesota postsecondary institution.
PSEO is generally available to students in grades 10, 11, and 12. Most courses are offered on a college campus or online.
Because Art & Science Academy serves students through grade 8, this information is provided to help students and families begin planning for future high school opportunities.
Important Notification Dates
Students interested in participating in PSEO must notify their school district or charter school of their intent to enroll by:
- May 30 for fall-term enrollment
- October 30 for spring-term enrollment
A district or charter school may choose to waive these notification deadlines.
Students and families should meet with their school counselor or administrator before enrolling to review eligibility, graduation requirements, potential risks, credit transfer, scheduling, and other considerations.
Student Eligibility
Students in Grades 11 and 12
Eligible 11th- and 12th-grade students may participate in PSEO on either a full-time or part-time basis.
Each participating college or university establishes its own admission and enrollment requirements. Meeting general PSEO eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission to a specific institution or course.
Students in Grade 10
Eligible 10th-grade students may enroll in one approved Career and Technical Education, or CTE, course.
To qualify, a student must generally:
- Receive a reading proficiency score of “meets” or “exceeds” on the grade 8 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment; or
- Demonstrate reading proficiency through another assessment accepted by the postsecondary institution if the student did not take the grade 8 MCA.
Alternative options may be available for students with disabilities to demonstrate reading proficiency.
A 10th-grade student who successfully completes the first CTE course with a grade of C or higher may be eligible to enroll in additional postsecondary courses during a subsequent term. Those additional courses do not have to be limited to CTE.
Students Who Are Not on Track to Graduate
A student who is determined by the district or charter school to be academically off track for graduation may be allowed to continue participating in PSEO on a term-by-term basis beyond the student’s expected graduation date.
Tuition, Books, and Fees
There is generally no charge to PSEO students for:
- Tuition
- Required textbooks
- Required course materials
- Required participation fees
Students may be responsible for certain costs, including:
- Equipment or materials that become the student’s property
- Textbooks that are not returned according to the college’s policies
- Costs resulting from failure to meet required notification deadlines when the deadline is not waived
Families should review the policies of the participating college or university before enrollment.
Transportation Assistance
Transportation reimbursement may be available for qualifying students who travel to a college campus to participate in PSEO.
Eligibility for reimbursement is generally based on family income and other program requirements.
Families should review the Minnesota Department of Education’s PSEO Mileage Reimbursement Program Instructions for current eligibility and application information.
Participation in School Activities
Enrollment in PSEO does not prevent a student from participating in activities sponsored by the student’s high school.
Students remain responsible for meeting all eligibility requirements associated with athletics, activities, attendance, conduct, and academic standing.
Online PSEO Courses and School Access
Postsecondary institutions must allow PSEO students to enroll in online courses consistent with the institution’s policies for other postsecondary students.
When needed, a high school must provide PSEO students with reasonable access to space and technology during the school day so they can participate in online coursework.
A school may not require a student to attend the high school during the student’s online PSEO course or require the student to remain at the high school for a specific amount of time.
Students must continue to follow school policies and safety procedures when entering or leaving the school building.
Grades, Credits, and Transcripts
Students participating in PSEO must provide their school with a copy of their grades for each completed PSEO course.
High school credit earned through PSEO is recorded according to Minnesota law and local school district or charter school procedures.
The school determines:
- The high school subject area in which the course will be recorded
- The academic standards the course satisfies
- How the course applies toward graduation requirements
- Whether and how PSEO courses are weighted for grade-point-average purposes
If a student disagrees with the number of high school credits awarded for a PSEO course, the student may appeal the school board’s decision to the Minnesota Commissioner of Education. The commissioner’s decision is final.
Planning for PSEO
Students and families considering PSEO should carefully discuss:
- High school graduation requirements
- College admission requirements
- Course rigor and workload
- Transportation
- Online learning expectations
- Participation in school activities
- Credit transfer
- The effect of college grades on future academic records
- Supports available through the high school and college
PSEO courses become part of the student’s permanent college transcript. Students should understand that withdrawing from, failing, or not completing a course may affect both high school progress and future college standing.
Learn More
For current program requirements, participating institutions, forms, transportation information, and other resources, visit the Minnesota Department of Education’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options webpage.
Families may also contact their student’s school counselor, principal, or district administrator for assistance with planning and enrollment.
Art & Science Academy Contact
Melissa Erickson
Director of Student Services
melissa.erickson@artandscienceacademy.k12.mn.us
763-444-0342