PSEO enables 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students to complete high school graduation requirements while earning credit at a given college, or university.
Qualifying high school juniors and seniors are allowed to participate in PSEO Courses full or part time.
The Minnesota state system also generally requires juniors to be in the top one-third of their class to be in PSEO or to "score at or above the 70th percentile on a nationally standardized, norm-referenced test."
Seniors are required to be in the top half of their class, or to "score at or above the 50th percentile on a nationally standardized, norm-referenced test; or for juniors or seniors, documentation other than that specified in Part 2, Subpart A1 and Subpart A2 of this procedure of the student's readiness and ability to perform college-level work as determined by the college or university."
For 10th graders, the Minnesota State system requires that a student "has attained a passing score on the 8th grade Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment in reading and meets any the other course prerequisites or course enrollment standards established by the college, including but not limited to assessment test scores, program admission, or other requirements,[3][4] Minnesota also has established an "Early College/Middle High School" program allowing students who need additional support to participate in PSEO programs.
These programs involve a partnership between a school district and a Minnesota State public two year college.
Postsecondary institutions are not allowed to charge PSEO students for tuition, textbooks or support services.
While there has been legislative reform to correct some of these issues, bias against PSEO students by their school districts still continues.