Postsecondary Enrollment Options

GET COLLEGE CREDIT NOW WHILE YOU ARE STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL!
 
Under the provisions of the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act, CRS 22-35, eligible juniors and seniors may take courses at postsecondary state institutions and apply credit earned toward high school graduation. Some high schools offer college classes at the high school site through the postsecondary state institutions as well. Upon demonstrated successful course(s) completion, students or parents/guardians will be reimbursed by Denver Public Schools for the cost of tuition for up to two courses per academic term. Costs for books, fees, and transportation will not be reimbursed. Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch or students with a financial hardship may apply for a tuition payment waiver.

Eligibility
•     Students are eligible to enroll if they have earned 110 hours of high school credit and
are under 21 years of age.
•     This program is not applicable to summer school classes.
•     Remedial, pre-college level, physical education, and basic skill courses are not eligible for PSEO.
•     International students (foreign exchange students on F1 Visa) are not eligible for PSEO.
•     Students who have completed all graduation requirements, including 220 credit hours and all required high school graduation courses are eligible to participate in Fast Track. Under this program, students may enroll in college full time, and Denver Public Schools will pay all the tuition. Students are responsible for books, fees, and transportation.

Procedures
Students interested in this program should notify their counselor at the beginning of each semester for the next upcoming academic term at the college. Counselors will supply the students with all necessary Denver Public School forms. It is the student’s responsibility to return the forms to their counselor by the established deadline. Students are required to complete all necessary paperwork for the college they wish to attend.
In some cases, colleges require their own admissions testing.

Tuition Reimbursement
1.   Students who qualify for the free or reduced-price lunch program or students who declare a financial hardship will have their tuition paid by Denver Public Schools. However, if the classes are not successfully completed, the student must reimburse the district.
2.   Students who do not qualify for the free or reduced-price lunch program or who do not declare a financial hardship will pay their own tuition, and Denver Public Schools will reimburse them after successful completion of their classes.
3.   Students in the Fast Track program who do not successfully complete their college classes must reimburse the district for tuition.
4.   Students taking classes for college credit only are not eligible for tuition reimbursement.

Advantages
The Postsecondary Enrollment Options program makes available a variety of challenging courses that are not offered at the high school, thus providing students with additional options. PSEO is a dual-enrollment program; therefore, credit is issued at both the college and high school. Students are given the opportunity to experience college classes among people of all ages and backgrounds. Students can earn up to 24 semester hours at a college over a two-year period without paying tuition. Additionally, students can graduate from college earlier by taking college classes while still in high school.
 
Contact
Ruben Chavez GW’s designated Postsecondary Enrollment Options program coordinator.  Mr. Chavez may be contacted at Ruben_Chavez@dpsk12.org.  In addition, you may contact Cheryl Walters, the district PSEO coordinator in the School of Choice Office, at cheryl_walters@dpsk12.org or at 720-423-3843.  Additional information about Postsecondary Enrollment Options can be found on the Colorado Department of Education's web page.