What is the PSEO Program?
If you are a high ability junior or senior, this is an opportunity for you to take college courses while you are enrolled in New Heights School. Beginning in the fall of 1997, the Minnesota Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) allows high school juniors (top third of class) and seniors (top half of class) to take courses, full or part-time, at public and private postsecondary institutions in Minnesota for credit. The tuition, fees, and required textbooks are at no cost to the students.
Concordia University, St. Paul offers on-campus and online programs. They accept PSEO students for the beginning of each academic year. PSEO students are not accepted in the middle of an academic year. Completed applications must be received by May 1.
Who is eligible to participate in the program?
You are eligible to participate if you are a junior in the upper third of your class or a senior in the upper half of your class.
Courses and Credits
- When you combine your high school and college registrations, you may not exceed a full-time high school registration. Registration beyond full-time is at your own expense. In working out a balanced program, consider that a full time high school load is generally six high school classes per day, which is six credits at New Heights School. A full time college load is usually 12 - 15 credits per semester.
- According to the state guidelines, one high school credit may be met by no more than seven quarter credits or four semester credits. A one semester college credit is equal to a quarter credit at New Heights School. A typical 4 credit college course would therefore equal to one credit at New Heights School.
- According to Steve Etheridge (651-582-8771) at the State Department of Education, a student must be enrolled in at least one study hall to be eligible to enroll in PSEO. A student is not eligible for PSEO if they attend all available hours of instruction at their high school.
How do I Participate?
- Make an appointment with your counselor, Mr. Stahlmann, he will provide you with the information about the program.
- Work with him to select schools and courses to fulfill your high school graduation requirements.
- When you have selected the school and course:
- Take any required assessment tests.
- Fill out and sign the post-secondary enrollment options form. Your counselor's signature is required, as is your parent's or guardian's, if you are not yet 18 years old.
- Complete the registration form.
- A copy of your high-school transcript must also be submitted.
- Once you have registered, you will be sent additional information about books and other requirements. Please be aware that all books used during your registration belong to your high school district. If you withdraw from a course, you will be expected to return your books. If you do not return them, you will be billed.
Forms
A PSEO Notice of Student Registration form, and admission forms specific to the college must be completed. Contact the college and Mr. Stahlmann before completing these forms. The Postsecondary Enrollment Options Program Notice of Student Registration form is located at the Minnesota Department of Education's WEB site.
Transcripts and Grades
Once you have completed a course and the grades have been posted to the Colleges registration system, they will send a transcript to New Heights School so that these credits can be counted in progress toward your high school graduation. Your credits will also be on a College transcript to use toward college graduation.
Books
All textbooks and equipment provided to a pupil, and paid for under Minnesota Statute Subdivision 13, are the property of the college the pupil attends. Each student is therefore required to return all textbooks and equipment to the college after the course has ended.
State Law
The specific state statute that covers this program can also be found on the internet.
Participating Post-Secondary Institutions including Online Courses
There are a wide variety of courses and the State Department of Education once again maintains an active list of participating institutions. Online courses are also available, which could be completed at home or at the computer resource room at New Heights School. This must be arranged prior to registration.
The University of Minnesota Morris offers one such program along with sample lessons
.
Where do New Heights School students usually go?
Most of our students attend Century College, which is located approximately ten miles from New Heights School. Contact the admissions office early to meet all of their requirements. Students must pass two of the three assessment test areas to be accepted into the program. Walk-in Computerized Testing is available according to the schedule listed below. A paper and pencil version of the test is offered Thursday evenings at 5:30. Generallly, the test takes about 2 hours to complete. For more information, call (651)779-3352.
The Century College application deadline for Fall Semester is July 1 and Spring Semester is December 1.
| Mondays |
8:00am to 6:00pm |
| Tuesdays |
8:00am to 6:00pm |
| Wednesdays |
8:00am to 6:00pm |
| Thursdays |
8:00am to 6:00pm |
| Fridays |
8:00am to 10:00am |
Note: There are some days that the test is not offered. Check here to make sure the test is offered.
Sample Tests are available on Century's website. The practice tests include evaluating grammar in a series of sentences; answering several questions following the reading of a particular passage; and completing arithmetic, elementary algebra, and college level mathematics. Generally, special preparation for the assessments is not necessary because the assessments provide students information about their current skills.
There is a practice test available online to prepare for these exams, including the SAT and ACT. This test may be a valuable tool, however, it is NOT free and runs around $15.00.
Can I earn college credit without the PSEO Program?
Yes. If you are a junior or senior and enroll in either Rassmussen College-Lake Elmo/Woodbury or Globe University they offer programs similar to PSEO. Check out their sites shown below.
Rassmussen College, Lake Elmo/Woodbury High School juniors and seniors have the opportunity to earn college credit through Rasmussen College’s Early Start Program. The Early Start Program is a great way for high school students to experience college while still supported by high school staff and mentors, try a course that may not be offered at the high school, or explore a possible future career by taking an introductory course the Early Honors Program to give high school students the opportunity to start earning free college credit while still in high school. See Mr. Stahlmann for details or click onto their web site.
Globe University/Minnesota School of Business If you, as a high school senior, enroll in an associate degree, bachelor’s degree or tech school program at Globe University/Minnesota School of Business (GU/MSB), you will be eligible to take up to four courses free of tuition — one course per quarter, beginning fall quarter prior to your official start date in the program. You are eligible for this scholarship if you are a high school senior with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher. See Mr. Stahlmann for details or click onto their web site.
