Important Documents
What is PSEO (Post Secondary Enrollment Options)?
PSEO allows high school juniors and seniors to take courses, full-or part-time, at a post-secondary institution for high school credit.
The program provides students with a greater variety of class offerings and the opportunity to pursue more challenging coursework than may be available at the high school. The tuition, fees and required textbooks are at no cost to students.
Eligibility
You are eligible if you are in grade 11 or 12, enrolled in High School and meet the admissions requirements of the post secondary college or university you wish to attend. Each college/university will determine eligibility. Example of current standards:
- University of Minnesota: Top 10-15% of class
- State Colleges and community colleges: Juniors-top 1/3 of class, Seniors-top 1/2 of class
- Private colleges: Top 20% of class
NOTE: Each college determines student eligibility.
Institutions Available
Visit the Minnesota Dept. of Education's website for an updated list of participating institutions.
Interested?
Follow these steps:
- Discuss this option with your parent(s) or guardian
- Contact the college for PSEO application
- Once accepted, see your counselor to discuss credits, graduation requirements, etc.
The state's PSEO Notice of Student Registration form (ED-01763-13) must be completed and signed by your parent/guardian if under 18, and your counselor, before you register each semester to ensure the school district’s payment of your tuition. After you register at the college, see your school counselor for a schedule change.
Download PSEO Notice of Student Registration Form.
Costs
The costs of tuition, books and lab fees will be covered by the school district as part of your high school education. You will be responsible for payment of non-consumable tools and equipment. The books are to be returned to the college directly, as the books belong to the college. Failure to return books may result in a fine/fee or withholding of your transcript by the college.
Grading
Grades are usually sent directly to the high school from the college after the completion of the course. 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. Grades are not weighted and no adjustments will be made to the grade (e.g., A = A).
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 on 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.
Minnesota High School League rules let you participate in extra-curricular activities or athletics at your high school OR post secondary institution, but not both.
Work with your High School Counselor!
You, the student, will be responsible for meeting the graduation requirements of District 833. Working with your assigned high school counselor ensures that the college courses you take will meet the high school requirements. The high school grants the number of credits that you will receive for courses taken on PSEO. Therefore, it is critical that you and your counselor discuss the credits needed. Check each semester to determine your continued credit needs. Appointments are necessary, please plan ahead. Please call the counseling office to make an appointment.
Important to Remember
- Once accepted at the college, you must turn in a signed PSEO agreement. This must be on file with your counselor in order to change your high school schedule.
- After completing college registration, you must bring proof of registration to the counseling office each semester. Counselors must have a copy of what you have registered every semester in order to be sure you are taking the credits needed to graduate.
- Grades earned at the college are not weighted. The grade on the college transcript is the grade that is entered on the high school transcript.
- Each college credit is equal to .75 high school credit.
- Example: a 4 credit college course would equal 3 high school credits (4 x .75 = 3)
PSEO Check List
NOTE: Each college determines student acceptance
1. Talk to your parents about PSEO - you must provide your own transportation.
2. Call the college admissions office directly, or go directly to the PSEO portion of the college’s website, to get registration materials and find out the college’s eligibility requirements. Each college has their own requirements, but typical eligibility requirements are as follows:
- University of Minnesota: Top 10-15% of class for Juniors and Seniors
- State Colleges and community colleges: Juniors- top 1/3 of class, Seniors - top 1/2 of class
- Private colleges: Top 20% of class for Juniors and Seniors
*Please note, each college determines student acceptance.
Be aware of deadlines! Do not wait until the last minute to do your paperwork. Please contact the colleges for specific deadline information.
3. If the college requires an assessment test, please contact the college counseling office for necessary testing information.
4. Upon passing the college’s assessment testing, please complete and send in the PSEO application.
5. After you receive a letter of acceptance in the mail, make an appointment with your high school counselor. You need to do this before your college’s orientation/ registration in order to discuss what courses/credits you will need in order to fulfill District 833 graduation requirements. You must do this before you register for classes at the college.
Please note: the counseling offices are closed during the summer. If you will not hear back from the college about acceptance until summer vacation, please meet with you counselor before the end of the school year to discuss this information.
6.After you register for your classes at the college, you will need to see your counselor in the Counseling Office to change your high school schedule.
- You must return the PSEO Student Agreement to your high school counselor prior to your high school schedule being changed.
- You must provide your Counselor with a copy of your college schedule every semester.
- Check the High School’s website and Counseling Office’s website often! You are responsible for keeping yourself informed about activities at the high school.
- You must fill out a new "PSEO Notice of Student Registration Form each semester (state form).
PSEO Agreement
You must submit a signed PSEO Agreement that indicates your understanding of the following:
- PSEO grades are NOT weighted!
- Each college credit is equal to .75 high school credit.
(e.g. 4 credits at the college are equal to 3 credits at the high school; 4 x .75 = 3).
- Students provide their own transportation to the PSEO institution.
- Students must provide their counselor with a copy of their college schedule each semester.
- Students may not change their college schedule without consulting their high school counselor first.
Minnesota PSEO Notice of Student Registration
If you are a PSEO student, you must see your counselor before the beginning of each college semester for course planning and official approval. Student, parent, and counselor need to sign the "Notice of Student Registration Form" each semester.
- PSEO Notice of Student Registration Form (to be published)
Eligible Minnesota PSEO Institutions (partial list)
The links below are general contact information only. For more specific information, please contact the college directly, see your counselor, or search for PSEO options on the college's website.
The information below is meant to be used for general information only. For more specific information, please contact the college directly, or see your counselor.
Contact the college/university and request to speak to the Admissions Office PSEO contact for specific admissions instructions (i.e., part-time/full-time, deadlines, essays, standards, quarter/semester, and assessment testing procedures).
Direct any appeals/questions on PSEO to the Minnesota Department of Education at: 651-582-8512
Staying Connected
Visit the WHS website often for news and events and the daily announcements.