High school students: take free college courses
Minnesota’s PSEO program lets you take Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota courses online or on campus, tuition-free while earning dual credit.
What Is PSEO?
How it works
- Courses taken online or at our Winona Campus
- Taught by Saint Mary’s faculty
- Tuition and books covered by the state
- Credits appear on a Saint Mary’s transcript
- Transferable to most colleges and universities
Eligibility
- 3.0 GPA
- Minnesota public high school juniors and seniors
- Meet Saint Mary’s admissions criteria
- Apply before term deadlines
What you’ll take
Explore a wide range of foundational courses designed to build your skills and knowledge. Popular options include:
- Biology
- Calculus
- Chemistry
- Communication
- English
- Literature
- And other General Education courses
You’ll have access to all 100- and 200-level courses currently offered in our catalog, giving you the flexibility to tailor your schedule to your goals.
Finish what you start — at Saint Mary’s
When you enroll at Saint Mary’s after high school, your PSEO credits roll directly into your degree plan — setting you up for success with:
- A seamless transition to full-time college
- Familiar professors, course systems, and expectations
- The ability to graduate on time — or even early
- Continued connection to a community you already know
- A $1,000 annual scholarship, renewable for up to four years — exclusively for former PSEO students when you finish your degree at Saint Mary’s
Build on the strong foundation you started at Saint Mary’s.
FAQ for students and parents
Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a state-funded program in Minnesota that allows qualified public high school juniors and seniors to take college-level courses — for both high school and college credit — at no cost to the student.
Tuition, books, and required course materials are free to students through state funding. There may be optional expenses (e.g., transportation, supplies).
Yes. Students can enroll in PSEO courses part-time or full-time while still completing high school graduation requirements.
Yes, most PSEO credits earned at Saint Mary’s are transferable to other colleges and universities. Always confirm with your intended institution.
If you choose to enroll at Saint Mary’s after high school:
- Your credits apply directly to your Saint Mary’s degree
- You already know the campus, professors, and support system
- You may qualify for scholarships and admission advantages
- You can potentially graduate sooner and with less debt
- Follow all university academic policies and deadlines
- Communicate with instructors and advisors
- Take responsibility for your learning and performance
- Demonstrate readiness and the responsibility for a college-level environment
Students must be:
- Enrolled in a Minnesota public or private high school and a Minnesota resident.
- In 11th or 12th grade
- Meet Saint Mary’s academic criteria, minimum 3.0 GPA
- Approved by their high school and parents
Students attend classes on the Saint Mary’s University Winona Campus. These are actual college courses with current undergraduate students.
- Submit the online admission application
- Provide high school transcript and state-required form
- Meet with a Saint Mary’s advisor to select courses
- Receive approval from your high school counselor
- Shorten time to college degree completion
- Earn free college credits
- Experience real college coursework
- Reduce future college costs
- Strengthen your college applications
- Gain confidence and academic preparation
Yes. Saint Mary’s provides academic advising, access to tutoring, library resources, and an orientation designed to help high school students succeed in a college environment.
No. Under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), parents do not have automatic access to college records without the student’s written consent.