For high school students wanting to get a head start on college, Post-Secondary Education Options may be the program worth looking into.
“The Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program allows Ohio high school students to earn college credit and/or high school graduation credit through the successful completion of college courses,” PSEO Coordinator Sherry Holley said.
PSEO has made its program available to grades 9-12 for both public and non-public schools.
Holley said that public and nonpublic high school students may enroll in non-sectarian, college-level courses and receive college credit and/or credit toward graduation from high school.
To apply for PSEO, students need to meet and talk with an advisor about their interest in the program, as well as have at least a 3.0 grade point average in the subject they wish to study.
For students to become eligible to enroll at Sinclair Community College, Holley said the student will need to take placement tests to prove the student is college ready in math, reading and writing. Students may also verify their eligibility with ACT scores if they fit the required levels. They must have scored at least a 22 in math, 21 in reading and 18 in writing. Holley said SAT scores and composite scores are not accepted at Sinclair.
“Traditional school students must have their testing completed by June 29 and nonpublic school students must have their testing completed between May 15 and June 15,” Holley said.
Sinclair requires the students to complete a specific PSEO application, which is due by May 1. Holley said the students must attend an informational session on the program and complete the ‘intent to participate’ form, which is required by the Ohio Department of Education, by March 30 and given to the students’ high school guidance counselor.
“Non-public school students have a window from May 15 through June 15 to have everything completed and mailed to the O.D.E. by June 15,” Holley said.
There are two options students have for PSEO — option A and option B. In option A, students’ parents pay the entire cost of the program that allows open enrollment.
Holley said open enrollment allows students to choose if they’d like receive to college credit or both high school and college credit.
“[Option B] allows the student to receive both high school and college credit. Under Option B, the student’s family is not required to pay for tuition, books or fees that are directly related to a course. For public and community school students, the cost of the college courses are paid by funds set aside by the Ohio General Assembly, [every two years],” Holley said.
She said there are many benefits to enrolling into PSEO — students can help parents by cutting down costs for college education. Another benefit is students have the opportunity to earn both required high school credits and college credits at the same time.
“The Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program is an excellent program for those students who are motivated to learn,” Holley said.
For more information about the PSEO program, visit sinclair.edu/pseo or attend the upcoming informational event at the Dayton campus. The event will be held on Monday, March 4, in Building 12 in the Charity Earley Auditorium from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.