Senate Bill 140 (Post Secondary Option)


The PSEO Program

The Post-Secondary Enrollment Option Program at the Kent State University Trumbull Campus is primarily designed to provide qualified high school students with the opportunity to enhance their high school education with a true college experience. Parents and students considering PSEO course work should meet with their high school guidance office to learn about the program and to discover their school district’s policies as they relate to: full-time equivalency with high school and college enrollment, repayment policies in the event of withdrawal, how Kent State University grades are accepted on the high school transcript (weighted or not weighted), scheduling for other high school classes, remaining graduation requirements and if college courses will fulfill those requirements and any other related issues.

High school students may earn both high school and college credit without paying tuition by selecting Option B. Option A allows for the student to pay tuition and earn college credit only. Kent State Trumbull welcomes applications from home-schooled students who, if accepted into the program, are required to enroll Option A.

The PSEO Program is not intended to replace course work available in high school or to provide students with a full-time college course load. The number of credit hours that a PSEO student may register for is left to the discretion of the Kent State Trumbull PSEO adviser. Distance learning and web-based courses are not available to PSEO students.

Students selected to enroll at Kent State Trumbull under either PSEO option will be considered Kent State University students and are accountable for all policies, rules, procedures and deadlines in effect for students of Kent State University. These include items related to tuition payment, textbooks, advising and registration. Students are expected to be familiar with the information in the Schedule of Classes and Undergraduate Catalog. Students enrolled in the PSEO Program are not eligible to receive financial aid or work on campus.

PSEO Program Guidelines Students applying to the PSEO Program should generally meet or exceed the following:

  • 9th thru 12th graders will have at least a 3.0 cumulative high school GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Demonstrated mastery of introductory college preparatory core curriculum (COMPASS placement test) in each subject area in which the student wishes to take college courses (e.g. math, reading skills, writing skills). 
  • A recent ACT composite score of 23 or combined SAT score of 1590 required
  • The state of Ohio requires that high school students must have a “B” average or better if they have taken a similar course prior to enrolling in a college course in the same subject area.
  • If a student wishes to retake the COMPASS placement test an appeal must be presented in writing to the PSEO coordinator. The PSEO coordinator will review the reason for the appeal and consult with appropriate University authorities to determine the need for a retest.  In general, appeals will be considered only when there is a significant discrepancy between the GPA and/or ACT/SAT scores and the COMPASS test scores.

Application Requirements

For planning purposes, the following items are required to apply for admission to the Kent State Trumbull PSEO Program. Detailed instructions to applicants will be found with the application.

  • Complete all sections of the Kent State Trumbull PSEO Application.
  • Submit a signed Parent Consent Form-Permission for Required Notification and Financial Responsibility Acknowledgment form.
  • Have your high school principal or guidance counselor complete the Kent State Trumbull PSEO Principal or Counselor Recommendation Form.
  • Have two (2) former or current high school teachers of your choice complete the Kent State Trumbull PSEO Teacher Recommendation Form.
  • Submit a typed, five paragraph essay expressing why you would like to participate in the program.
  • Submit official high school transcripts.
  • Submit ACT or SAT scores.

PSEO Orientation Program

If you're admitted to the PSEO program, you and a parent/guardian will be REQUIRED to attend an Orientation Program. Attendance at this event is mandatory.

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