PSEO

Click here for important information...PSEO Book Purchase and Return Policies!

Sinclair’s PSEO Program FAQ

Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions that may be helpful to you and your family as you begin the PSEO Program process at Sinclair Community College.

What is the Post-Secondary Enrollment Program?

The Post Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEO) allows Ohio high school students to earn college credit and/or high school graduation credit through the successful completion of non-sectarian college-level courses. Tuition and supplies are funded for eligible students by the high school’s state foundation and paid directly to the college.
The purpose of the program is to promote rigorous academic pursuits and expose students to options beyond the high school classroom.
The PSEO Program is open to eligible 9th through 12th grade students enrolled through the state’s public, community and nonpublic high schools. (Homeschooled students are not eligible.)
A minimum 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and availability in the student’s high school schedule are required to apply to the PSEO Program at Sinclair Community College.
Students must also test into college level through Sinclair’s Accuplacer placement testing, or provide equivalent ACT scores, to determine final eligibility for the PSEO Program.

What are Sinclair's student expectations?

PSEO students are expected and required to perform at the same level as regular Sinclair Community College students and:

Attend all classes on time.
Respect the rights of others to contribute by listening attentively.
Show consideration for students, instructors and other college employees.
Participate appropriately and actively on topics presented in class.
Complete assignments on time.
Ask for feedback from instructors and peers to ensure progress toward learning objectives.
Resolve problems by immediately discussing issues with instructors and/or peers.
Please Note: A student’s parent/guardian may not have complete access to a student’s Sinclair information due to FERPA, the Federal Education Rights Privacy Act.

Important PSEO Application Deadlines

February/March: Mandatory high school PSEO information sessions for the next academic year.
March 30: ODE “Intent to Participate” due to high school.
May 1: PSEO applications due to Sinclair for Fall Quarter of the next academic year. (Any application received after May 1 requires written permission from the distinct superintendent.)
June 15: Accuplacer testing and ACT score submissions must be completed for Fall Quarter.
October 1: PSEO Program applications for Winter and/or Spring Quarter will not be accepted after this date.

How do I apply?

PSEO applications are only available through a student’s high school guidance counseling office prior to the academic year they wish to enter and must be received by May 1 for the following academic year.
All students must submit a current year’s PSEO application each academic year, along with a current GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale. Students continuing in the PSEO Program must re-apply each year.
There is no application fee required for PSEO students at Sinclair Community College.
Fall quarter PSEO Program applications are due to Sinclair’s PSEO office by May 1.
Winter and/or Spring PSEO application submissions must be received by October 1.
The student’s GPA, high school schedule, course restrictions, and other information must be completed by the high school guidance counselor by the deadlines indicated.
Signatures from the applicant, parent/guardian and high school counselor are also required.
All interested PSEO students must attend a required information session at their high school. (PSEO informational meetings typically take place at the student’s high school in February or March.)
The high school guidance office is required to provide counseling to students and parents to inform them of the possible risks and consequences of taking part in the PSEO Program.
“Intent to Participate” is also required by the high school and due at the ODE office by March 30.
All applications received after May 1 will require a district superintendent’s written permission to accompany the application.
Applications received without a social security number and outdated applications will not be processed.
State-approved “non-public” (08) schools must follow all ODE guidelines, policies, and deadlines.

What about program expenses in the PSEO program?

The student may choose to have all expenses covered and will not be required to pay for tuition, books, materials, or fees for classes they successfully complete through the PSEO Program. (State Option “B”)
Some personal materials are not covered by the PSEO Program such as: optional books, computer software, uniforms, calculators, tools, etc.
Non-eligible and restricted courses, including courses the student did not attain a 3.0 in the same subject area or equivalent at the high school, are not funded by the PSEO Program.
Courses that are not completed must be repaid to the high school or local school district for all course expenses incurred, including tuition and supplies.
Transportation and parking expenses are not covered by the PSEO Program.

How do I test for Sinclair's PSEO program?

After a student’s PSEO Program application is received from their high school counselor and approved, a “PSEO Test Pass” will be mailed to the student within 10 days.
PSEO students must test by June 15 for Fall Quarter registration.
ACT and Accuplacer scores may be combined to determine eligibility to the PSEO program, however official scores must be sent to Sinclair from ACT to be considered.
Students must take Accuplacer college placement tests in reading, writing/sentence skills, and math* to determine eligibility. They must test into college level in writing and reading to be accepted in the PSEO Program. (*Math testing is required once, but optional a second time if math courses will not be taken.)
Students submitting ACT scores must have them sent officially to Sinclair through ACT and received by June 15. (Copies can be submitted to the PSEO office for reference only.)
Students can only attempt Accuplacer testing at Sinclair twice in a program year. There is a charge for the second test (s).
Scores from the student’s last testing date are always used to determine eligibility.
Academic Foundations (ACA), formerly Developmental (DEV), courses do not qualify a student for PSEO eligibility.
If a student has individualized (IEP) or specialized English language needs and will require assistance with testing, Sinclair’s Educational Support Services department must be contacted PRIOR to testing at Sinclair, (937) 512-5113.

How am I notified of my eligibility in the PSEO program?

A PSEO Program acceptance packet, including the student’s program acceptance letter, is sent to all eligible students within 10 days after testing into the program.
Detailed information on all PSEO Program deadlines, policies, and procedures will be sent in the student’s acceptance packet.
Students who need to retest to become eligible or who are considered ineligible for the PSEO Program are sent a letter stating their eligibility needs.
A copy of the student’s eligibility letter is also sent to the high school counselor.
Any change in a student’s status or schedule at the high school requires written notification by the high school to the PSEO Program office. (An email or fax is acceptable.)
After PSEO Program acceptance, all new PSEO students must attend a 2-hour New Student Orientation session at Sinclair’s main campus. (Online orientation is not an option.) This is a general college orientation session, not specific to PSEO. Parents are welcome to attend.

What courses can I take and how many quarterly credit hours can I take?

Course and credit hour availability is based on information provided by the high school counselor on the student’s Sinclair PSEO Program application and is outlined in detail on the student’s PSEO Program acceptance letter.
Sinclair quarterly credit hours are determined by the amount of hours a student will not be attending at the high school. (Or the amount of hours allowed by the ODE in the case of a non-public approved high school.)
Allowable quarterly credit hours can be used as the student wishes throughout that academic year.
Courses may normally be taken at any Sinclair Community College location at any time that is available.
Short-term and mini-term courses may also be taken through the PSEO Program.
Students may only take online (distance learning) courses after their first quarter and should be counseled by the high school counselor, along with their parents, on the advantages and disadvantages of this option.
Students are responsible for consulting with their high school counselor to determine what courses are needed to meet high school graduation requirements. All courses needed for high school graduation credit MUST be completed by the end of Winter quarter.
Academic advising is available, and recommended, to all Sinclair Community College students. The PSEO Program office does not counsel students on course selections or scheduling.
Students must register for all courses within each quarter’s PSEO Program deadlines.
A copy of each quarter’s schedule and the student’s end-of-quarter grades are always reported to the high school counselor.

What if I do not complete a PSEO course?

Sinclair courses that are dropped late, or with a grade of “W”, will be charged to the student by their high school and/or local school district, including book and supply purchases.
Sinclair courses that are not completed, with a grade of “I/Z/F” (incomplete, non-attendance, failed), will be charged to the student by their high school and/or local school district, including book and supply purchases.
Students placed on AI (Academic Intervention) or PR (Probation) due to a low GPA at Sinclair Community College will be removed from the PSEO Program.

What courses are not permitted?

Some Sinclair courses are restricted for PSEO students, including most PE (physical education), some art, automotive, culinary (hospitality), and aviation. A complete list of restricted courses is included in the student’s PSEO Program acceptance packet.
Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA at their high school in any subject area they wish to take courses in through the PSEO Program. (High school counselors are required to restrict any subject area below a 3.0 GPA, or their equivalents, per state requirements.)
Students may choose to pay for restricted courses and books not covered by PSEO funding.
Courses may not be retaken through the PSEO Program for an increased grade.
Summer courses are not funded by the PSEO Program.
High school students may also take classes through Sinclair’s ACE/Advanced College Entry program. These courses would be self-paid and must be approved by an ACE/Pre-College Programs advisor at (937) 512-2495.

What if I have to take classes for other programs in addition to PSEO?

If you are participating in other programs affiliated with Sinclair Community College and your high school, you must indicate the additional program on your PSEO application. (i.e.: Tech Prep, Quick Start, etc.)
You, or your high school counselor, are required to notify the PSEO office of any courses that will be funded by other programs and not through PSEO by the end of the first week of classes.
What if I change my mind and decide not to participate or decide to attend PSEO at another college? You are not required to participate if you fill out a Sinclair PSEO application.
All PSEO deadlines for testing, registration and New Student Orientation still apply.
It is better to apply early if you think you may be interested in the program. Late applications may not be accepted.

Are the deadlines for PSEO the same as the rest of Sinclair?

No, PSEO deadlines are often different and take precedence over regular Sinclair deadlines.
Deadlines for individual quarters are established and mailed to all eligible PSEO students prior to each quarter.
PSEO deadlines for registration and dropping or adding classes are always earlier than Sinclair deadlines to allow for completion of the PSEO funding process.
Book and supply purchases made with PSEO funding must be also be done within a specific timeframe and cash purchases for books will NOT be reimbursed.

Who can answer more PSEO questions?

After it is determined you are eligible to the PSEO Program at Sinclair through college placement testing, you will be sent information on: attending New Student Orientation, logging on to your new Sinclair email account, registering for courses, acquiring a student ID card, verifying PSEO funding, purchasing and returning books, etc.
Students must keep all information regarding program policies and procedures received from the PSEO Program office and refer to it when necessary.
Your district and/or high school may have additional criteria that need to be followed. Please check with your high school guidance counselor and/or principal.
Additional questions can be answered by contacting Sinclair’s PSEO Program offices at (937) 512-2461 or (937) 512-5188.