College Credits in High School

Students may earn college credit at Pine Island High School through concurrent enrollment or through PSEO. Through concurrent enrollment, eligible students earn college credit while taking classes at PIHS through known high school teachers that are working with college professors. Through PSEO, students take college courses directly through a college only. Please carefully review the information below if you are interested in pursuing PSEO.

Concurrent Enrollment and PSEO Options

College Credit Options at PIHS: View this document (link here) for more information about the differences between PSEO, Concurrent Enrollment, and Project Lead the Way. Learn more about the concurrent enrollment and Project Lead the Way opportunities at PIHS. 

PSEO Steps to Enroll

Students interested in pursuing PSEO should follow the following steps:

1. Meet with your high school counselor to gather more information 
2. Complete an online PSEO application to the college of choice
3. Review and sign the Pine Island High School PSEO Policy Form
4. Complete MDE Notice of Student Registration form and any other forms required by the college - these forms will be provided by the college or are available on the college website
5. Return all materials to your high school counselor
6. Once application and materials have been processed by the college, they will inform the student of next steps, which may include placement testing, orientation, and registration sessions.

All paperwork must be completed by May 30, 2023 for fall or spring semesters.

Additional Information about PSEO from MDE:

Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is an opportunity for Minnesota resident high school students in grades 10, 11 or 12, to earn dual credit for both high school and college. Most commonly, PSEO courses are delivered by the postsecondary institution (PSI) online or in person on campus. Payment of PSEO course tuition and required items, in most cases, comes directly from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to the PSI. MDE does not pay for any materials/equipment a student owns once the course has ended. Eligible PSIs choose which courses are PSEO eligible as well as setting college enrollment requirements. Students, PSIs and courses must fulfill the eligibility requirements as referenced in the PSEO Statute, Minnesota Statutes 2021, section 124D.09, See the PSEO Reference Guide for a comprehensive overview of PSEO.

Tuition and fees. Required course items are paid for on behalf of the student; tuition, fees and required textbooks are provided to the student at no cost. Consumable supplies specifically required for a class, such as art supplies and film, also are covered. The program does not cover general school expenses such as notebooks, pens, pencils, test-out fees, or nonconsumable supplies. The cost of on-campus housing is not covered by the program. Postsecondary institutions are reimbursed by the state for the PSEO courses.

Transportation. Public school, home school and nonpublic school students from families whose income levels are below the federal poverty guidelines may qualify for PSEO Transportation Mileage Reimbursement. District-provided transportation services are not available for students participating in PSEO. A family must complete the Application for Student Transportation Reimbursement at the beginning of the application request (or during the school year if there is a change in their financial status).

Home school and nonpublic students, for PSEO purposes, are considered alternative students. An alternative student who qualifies for mileage reimbursement must apply for reimbursement through the enrolling PSI. The mileage reimbursement is from the student's home or secondary school to the postsecondary institution.

School district students who qualify for mileage reimbursement must apply for reimbursement through the enrolling school district. If the family's income qualifies them for this program, they submit the Student Transportation Reimbursement Report to the district on a monthly basis. The district pays the family based on this claim. For questions regarding the PSEO Mileage Reimbursement Program, contact Kelly Garvey ([email protected]).

Financial Property. All textbooks and equipment provided to the student and paid for through the PSEO program is the property of the participating postsecondary institution. Each student is required to return all textbooks and equipment after the course has ended.

Public School Students Required District Notification – Intent to Enroll. To assist districts in planning, district students must notify their enrolling public school district by May 30 each year of their intent to enroll in postsecondary courses during the following school year. When completing the Notice of Student Registration Form (NOSR) section 1, there is a place where the student should complete/fill in the date of their notification. If the public school student does not notify by May 30, and the district does not waive the deadline, the student/family may be financially responsible for the PSEO costs.