PSEO Resource Library
The Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program enables Minnesota high school students in grades 10-12 to enroll into one or more classes taught by a 2-year or 4-year college or university. By completing this college class, which can be taken online or in-person at the college campus, PSEO students earn college credits that are automatically applied to their high school graduation requirements!
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Taking these classes are completely free - PSEO students don't need to pay for tuition or textbooks. However, you need to pay for food and transportation. Low-income families are eligible for PSEO travel reimbursement. Some students choose to be a full-time PSEO student (and not go to high school at all) or to be a part-time PSEO student and take only some classes at the high school. In order to enroll in PSEO, you need to apply to, and be accepted by, a college's PSEO program! Under state law, PSEO students are still high school students: you can still attend high school programs, activities, and clubs. In addition, you can use high school resources, such as its library or computer lab, in order to complete your PSEO coursework.
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Students and families learning about PSEO can get started by accessing our resources below. Start by downloading our PSEO Handbook or get help with your PSEO application by filling out our contact form. To simplify the PSEO application process, you can fill out our PSEO interest form and we will help match you to the right college or university! People for PSEO is here to help you with your PSEO journey.
Team photo (left to right) of Ansel Erol, Samara Pearson, Zeke Jackson, Thea Pappas, Katyanna Taylor, and Htoo Say, 2023.
For students & families
People for PSEO wants your college experience to be more affordable and time-efficient. Get started on PSEO here! Want to enroll in PSEO, but not sure where to start? Read testimonies from current and former PSEO students here and fill out our PSEO interest form!
Student and Family Resources
PSEO FAQ
PSEO Meaning
"PSEO" stands for the "Post-Secondary Enrollment Options" program. It is a Minnesota state law enacted in 1985 that enables high school students to earn free college credits by enrolling in college classes and then apply these college credits to your high school graduation requirements.
How do PSEO credits transfer?
PSEO credits transfer really well within Minnesota, but it can vary greatly outside of the state. We suggest using transferology.com and/or reaching out directly to the admission office of the college you'd like to attend to confirm their PSEO credit transfer policy.
Does PSEO affect GPA?
Yes - the grades that PSEO students earn from college classes are applied to both the high school and college transcript. If a student gets an 'A' via PSEO, this will be an 'A' on both transcripts, and conversely, failing a PSEO class will give PSEO students an 'F' on both transcripts.
Who pays for the PSEO program?
The PSEO program is paid for by the existing funding allocated to high school students by the state of Minnesota. This money follows PSEO students from the high school to the college. For this reason, the PSEO program doesn't cost taxpayers anything extra!
Should I do PSEO or CIS?
Please note you can do both at the same time! Concurrent Enrollment, often referred to as College in the Schools (CIS), can be more convenient for students than the PSEO program because it takes place inside the high school. However, some schools don't offer CIS or only offer limited options.
What GPA do I need for PSEO?
Every college sets their own eligibility requirements for students applying to the PSEO program. The main factor that they care about is your grade point average (GPA). Some colleges, like Mankato State University, only require a 2.7 GPA where others like the University of Minnesota requires a 3.6 GPA.
PSEO Classes
Students can take almost any type of college class through the PSEO program online or in-person. Most often, students are taking classes that fulfill core college graduation requirements or classes that help students explore their academic or career interests.
Can PSEO students do sports?
The Minnesota High School League has ruled that PSEO students must choose between participating in high school sports and college sports - they can't do both. This applies only to formal competitive teams, not to sports clubs. See the MSHSL Official Handbook, page 35, for more information.
Can I do PSEO in the summer?
The only students who are eligible to enroll in summer classes through the PSEO program are students enrolled in alternative learning programs. All other students may take college classes in the summer, but these classes will not be free and will not be applied to high school graduation requirements.
Should I do PSEO or AP?
Students can enroll in both PSEO and Advanced Placement at the same time! Credit from AP isn't guaranteed, but transfers across states very well. In contrast, PSEO credits are guaranteed as long as you pass the class and provides a wider variety of class options than what high schools can offer.
What is 'full-time' PSEO?
PSEO students are usually considered 'full-time' once they take 12+ college credits per semester. Most college classes are worth either 3 or 4 college credits, so this translates into 3-4 college classes per semester. Full-time PSEO students may not be enrolled in any classes taught by the high school.
How do PSEO credits work?
College credits earned by PSEO students are applicable to high school graduation requirements. At minimum, four college credits earned via PSEO are equal to one high school credit. This can vary across schools, so make sure to check with your high school academic counselor!
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PSEO
KATYANNA TAYLOR
PSEO allowed me to explore courses that align with my personal interests.
STARLEY VUE
I hope more students will continue to enroll in the PSEO program and learn more about what kind of future they want to create.
MATTHEW VILAYSACK
I earned [62] credits during my time as a PSEO student. This definitely helped me prepare for what's to come in my college years.