Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) Program
The Minnesota Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program allows 10th, 11th, and 12th grade high school students to take courses for both high school and transferable college credit. PSEO students participate in college courses at either CLC campus (Brainerd or Staples), or online, taught by college faculty. The PSEO program covers the cost of tuition and fees as well as required course materials for eligible courses whether the student is attending part-time or full-time.
To participate in the PSEO program a student must first inform their school district by May 30 (fall semester start) and/or October 30 (spring semester start) that they intend to enroll in PSEO courses and, be admitted to CLC as a PSEO student.
PSEO Program Information
New PSEO students are required to review these modules. The information covered here will help you start the PSEO program successfully.
MODULE 1: Eligibility, is PSEO the right fit?
MODULE 2: Getting Started, a review of the admission steps.
MODULE 3: College Level, a review of the course placement process.
MODULE 4: Ready to Register, a review of the registration process.
MODULE 5: Staying on Track, tips for PSEO students and families.
MODULE 6: Choosing Classes, academic and transfer planning.
Still have questions? Join us for a virtual PSEO Advising Q&A.
Apply to the PSEO program at CLC
STEP 1. Apply to Central Lakes College
New PSEO students must submit a CLC Application. See Steps to Complete CIS/PSEO Application document for detailed information. *Save your StarID info!
Returning PSEO students and those who have enrolled in a CIS course through CLC DO NOT need to submit a new application. All students should only ever have ONE StarID, used at all Minnesota State schools.
STEP 2. Send an official High School transcript
New PSEO students must send an official high school transcript to CLC.
GPA requirements for admission*: 10th Grade 3.0+ GPA | 11th Grade 3.0+ GPA | 12th Grade 2.5+ GPA
*Students with a GPA below the requirement may request admission by submitting a CE Admission Appeal which includes a Letter of Support from their high school.
Sophomore PSEO students must submit an 8th Grade MCA Reading score that ‘Meets or Exceeds’ expectations. These students are ONLY eligible to enroll in ONE Career and Technical Education (CTE) course during their first semester participating in the PSEO program. View the full list of Grade 10 PSEO Eligible CTE Courses.
Send paperwork to admissions@clcmn.edu or drop off at either CLC Campus Welcome Center.
STEP 3: Submit a PSEO Notice of Student Registration (NOSR) form
All PSEO students must submit a completed PSEO Notice of Student Registration form (pdf) each semester PRIOR to registration. Get this form from your high school counselor – they need to sign it!
Send paperwork to admissions@clcmn.edu or drop off at either CLC Campus Welcome Center.
Acceptance
New PSEO students will receive an acceptance email when all required paperwork is processed. Check your application status by logging into the CLC Application.
Release of Information
CLC students of ALL AGES are covered under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) which prohibits the release of student information to any third party (including parents/guardians) without written consent.
To ensure student information is shared appropriately we encourage students to complete the Authorization for Release of Information form.
Stay on track for High School Graduation
All PSEO students are required to meet with a high school counselor to review their high school graduation requirements prior to college registration. Bring these details when registering for college classes! Then, share your college schedule with your high school counselor to ensure you stay on track for high school graduation.
PLEASE NOTE: CLC Advisors do not track high school graduation requirements.
Course Placement
Reading College Level / Writing College Level: High School GPA 2.6 or higher allows registration for most Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) coursework, including ENGL 1410 Composition I.
Algebra College Level: High School GPA 2.8 or higher AND successful completion of HS Algebra II (C- or higher) allows registration for college level math coursework.
Students who do not meet course placement requirements based on High School GPA may opt to use MCA, ACT, SAT, or Accuplacer test scores. Find more information about Determining Course Placement and CLC Placement Levels online.
CLC Registration
New PSEO students are encouraged to attend a PSEO New Student Registration session, sign up required! After these dates, additional ‘All Program’ sessions will become available on the Steps to Enroll webpage (Step 4).
Returning PSEO students are encouraged to meet with their CLC advisor to complete or review registration and make an academic plan. Students can find their advisor in eServices under Courses & Registration (View/Modify Schedule).
Advisor contact information and appointment scheduling is available on the CLC Advising webpage.
Still looking for your assigned advisor? Email advising@clcmn.edu to get connected!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PSEO REGISTRATION…
PSEO students are not allowed to take courses with additional fees that exceed a total of $175, as noted in the online course schedule, or remedial courses (below 1000 level).
High School students are welcome to take courses during the summer semester, but these credits are not covered by the PSEO program. High school students taking summer courses must submit a Special Student Request Form (pdf).
Sophomore PSEO students are ONLY eligible to enroll in ONE Career and Technical Education (CTE) course during their first semester participating in the PSEO program. View the full list of Grade 10 PSEO Eligible CTE Courses.
Find additional information about the PSEO program:
3.5.2 Post-secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO) Program Registration CLC Procedure
124D.09 POSTSECONDARY ENROLLMENT OPTIONS ACT
Minnesota Department of Education Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)
Questions?
If you have questions about admission into the PSEO program please contact admissions@clcmn.edu.
If you have questions as a PSEO student please contact advising@clcmn.edu.
Updated 02/24/2025
