What is PSEO?
Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a program that allows public and nonpublic students in 10th, 11th and 12th grades to earn college credit while still in high school. Students generate both college credit and high school credit by successful completion of the course. Most PSEO courses are offered on campus; some courses are offered online. Each participating college or university sets its own admissions requirements for enrollment into the PSEO courses. Eleventh and 12th-grade students may take PSEO courses on a full- or part-time basis; 10th-graders are eligible to enroll in PSEO on a more limited basis.
PSEO Application Process Checklist & Information
This checklist provides a step-by-step process to apply to a PSEO program.
1. Research PSEO institutions and admission criteria
2. Decide whether you will attend PSEO full-time or part-time?
- Full-time: take all of your classes PSEO
- Part-time: split classes between PSEO and AVHS
3. JANUARY: You are REQUIRED to register for Classes at AVHS:
- During January registration month, register for a full schedule (21 credits) as if you were attending AVHS full time.
- Contact your AVHS Counselor (listed above) on or before May 30th to turn in the AVHS PSEO Agreement and discuss credit requirements for graduation while attending PSEO. A parent signature will be required on the parent agreement form prior to AVHS counselor meeting.
5. Follow the steps of the PSEO institution to apply. These include, but are not limited to:
- Complete the college PSEO application and submit.
- Complete the Notice of Student Registration (NOSR) form from the Minnesota Department of Education. This must be done every semester.
- Students complete section1 and then send it to their counselor to complete section 2.
- This form is returned to the student. Please submit to the PSEO College.
- Download a copy of the student's transcript from Campus Portal and submit via email.
- Submit other items needed per institution (book contract, balance sheet).
- PSEO colleges may want you to take the Accuplacer. Please work with the PSEO college to register for the Accuplacer.
- Once admitted, a PSEO advisor will help you schedule college classes.
6. Work with the college's PSEO Admissions Rep to schedule and attend their PSEO Orientation
7. AUGUST: You are REQUIRED to schedule an appointment with your AVHS School Counselor.
- AVHS schedule will be adjusted by possibly dropping and/or moving classes.
- PSEO students may qualify for reduced parking at AVHS, please see the main office.
Popular PSEO Colleges for AVHS Students
AVHS diploma requirements that need to be met IF you take the following classes PSEO:
- 11th &12th grade Science
- Required to take at least a 4-credit physical science with a lab (Chemistry/Physics)
- 11th grade Social Studies
- 11th & 12th grade Language Arts
- Required to take at least a 4-credit *literature and a 4-credit *composition course
- 12th grade social studies
- Required to take at least 4-credits of social studies (1 or more of which must be Economics)
- Mathematics
- Required to take at least a 4-credit course to meet AVHS math requirements
- PE/Wellness/Art or any other diploma requirement not yet fulfilled at AVHS
*A word about literature and composition classes:
- Literature classes: Reading, writing, discussing and thinking critically about texts and ideas.
- Composition classes: Critical thinking, analysis, argumentation, reflection, and making sound rhetorical choices to write effective academic essays.
- Students consult with their College PSEO Advisor to determine college class availability.
Other Information
- AVHS is on trimesters - PSEO colleges are on semesters
- Colleges decide PSEO admission
- You are responsible for managing PSEO admission process
- A college advisor will work with you to select college classes
- A 4-credit college class transfers back to AVHS as 3 credits
PSEO Admission Requirements
- University of MN Twin Cities
- 3.6 GPA
- Rigor of courses (honors, AP, CIS) and successful grades in rigorous courses
- Grade trends or additional scores from ACT, PSAT, PLAN, etc…
- Application window: February 17 - April 15
- Inver Hills/Normandale Community Colleges
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.6 or higher
- Evidence of college readiness by placement into college level English and math as indicated by your high school transcript, the ACCUPLACER or with qualifying scores for the individual subjects on the ACT test or SAT Test
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Evidence of college readiness by placement into college level English and math as indicated by your high school transcript, the ACCUPLACER, or with qualifying scores for the individual subjects on the ACT test or SAT test.
- Application Window: Community Colleges: February 17 - June 1.
Updated 2/19/2025
