Can 10th graders do PSEO at Saint Paul College?

Yes, and that is unusual. Sophomores qualify with a 2.8 unweighted GPA plus an 850 or higher on the 8th grade MCA Reading test. Keep in mind that during a 10th grader's first PSEO semester, Minnesota law allows just one career and technical education course, and Saint Paul College offers CTE courses that fit that rule.

When are the Saint Paul College PSEO application deadlines?

The fall deadline is May 31 and the spring deadline is November 30. Separately, if you attend a public school, state law requires district notice by May 30 (fall enrollment) or October 30 (spring), so plan for both dates.

How do I submit my application and NOSR form to Saint Paul College?

Saint Paul College asks for application materials as PDF or Word email attachments sent to its PSEO office rather than mailed or delivered in person. That means your completed and signed NOSR form can go in electronically, which speeds things up compared to colleges that still want paper.

Does Saint Paul College offer online courses for PSEO students?

The college offers both in-person and online course formats. Online sections can help if your high school schedule leaves an awkward gap that does not fit a round trip to the Saint Paul campus, though seat availability varies by term.

Will my Saint Paul College credits transfer to a four-year university?

General education courses at Saint Paul College align with the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum, which is accepted across the Minnesota State system and recognized by the University of Minnesota. Pick courses that fill MNTC goal areas and your free PSEO credits should carry into most Minnesota bachelor's degree programs.

Community & Technical College

Saint Paul College

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Right in the heart of Minnesota's capital city, Saint Paul College is one of the few PSEO options that opens its doors to sophomores, juniors, and seniors alike. The bar is the same for everyone: a 2.8 unweighted GPA, with sophomores also needing an 850 or higher on the 8th grade MCA Reading test. That consistency makes it one of the more predictable applications in the metro.

Start NOSR Application

GPA Requirements

Juniors (11th Grade)

2.8 GPA

Seniors (12th Grade)

2.8 GPA

Program Details

Accepts 10th GradersYes (CTE only)

CTE Courses AvailableYes

Term Systemsemester

About the PSEO program

Saint Paul College PSEO students can earn free college credits in everything from Minnesota Transfer Curriculum general education courses to hands-on career and technical programs, since the college confirms CTE availability for PSEO. For 10th graders, who are limited by state law to one CTE course in their first PSEO semester, that career-course access matters a lot.

The application process is refreshingly digital: the college asks for materials as PDF or Word attachments emailed to the PSEO office rather than mailed or dropped off. Pair that with a downtown Saint Paul location reachable by Metro Transit, and it is a practical pick for east metro students who want dual enrollment without a long commute.

Why choose Saint Paul College for PSEO

Sophomores can apply

Most Minnesota colleges start PSEO at 11th grade. Saint Paul College accepts 10th graders who have a 2.8 unweighted GPA and scored 850 or above on the 8th grade MCA Reading test, giving you a rare early start on free college classes.

One GPA standard for every grade

Juniors and seniors both qualify with a 2.8 unweighted GPA. There are no shifting tiers or class-rank calculations to decode, so you know where you stand before you apply.

CTE courses are on the table

As a comprehensive community and technical college, Saint Paul College offers career and technical education courses to PSEO students, which is the only kind of course a 10th grader can take in their first PSEO semester.

Fully email-based application

The PSEO office asks for application documents as PDF or Word attachments by email, not by mail or in-person drop-off. No printing, no stamps, no trips downtown just to hand over paperwork.

Capital-city campus with transit access

The campus sits near downtown Saint Paul, so east metro students can reach it by Metro Transit bus routes instead of depending on a car or a parent's schedule.

Programs & courses

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum general education
Writing, math, science, and social science courses that fill MNTC goal areas and transfer to Minnesota State universities and the U of M, the most common path for PSEO students building a transcript.
Career and technical education
Saint Paul College is known for its trades and applied programs, and it confirms CTE course availability for PSEO students, including the single CTE course sophomores are allowed statewide.
Business and accounting
Introductory business courses give students a low-risk way to test a business major before committing to a four-year program.
Computer science and information technology
Foundational computing and IT coursework that stacks toward certificates and associate degrees while counting for high school credit.
Liberal arts associate degree pathway
Students who start PSEO as juniors can work toward an AA degree, potentially finishing much of it before high school graduation.

Campus & getting there

Saint Paul College sits on a hill at the edge of downtown Saint Paul, close to the Cathedral and the State Capitol area, which puts it within reach of students across the east metro, from West Side neighborhoods to the northern suburbs. Metro Transit bus service connects the area, so a driver's license is not a prerequisite for attending class. The college also lists online course options, useful when a class period at your high school does not line up neatly with a campus commute.

Will my credits transfer?

Saint Paul College belongs to Minnesota State, and its general education courses map onto the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum — the 10-goal-area framework accepted at every Minnesota State college and university and recognized by the University of Minnesota. PSEO students who plan ahead can pick courses that fill MNTC goal areas and slot into Minnesota Transfer Pathways for common majors, so credits earned free in high school keep their value at a four-year school later. Career and technical credits transfer differently, so check with your target university before loading up on CTE courses.

Saint Paul College PSEO FAQ

You need a 2.8 unweighted GPA whether you are a sophomore, junior, or senior. Sophomores have one extra requirement: a score of 850 or higher on the 8th grade MCA Reading test. That 2.8 standard is lower than many metro-area colleges, making Saint Paul College one of the more accessible PSEO options in the Twin Cities.