Post-secondary Courses Lead to Big College Savings
Maple Grove Senior High student Josh Gilbert is taking post-secondary courses at Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park. He is learning how to weld and getting high school and college credits at the same time.
“Well, I chose welding because I really wanted to experience a hands on course instead of just sitting in a class room twiddling your thumbs,” said Josh Gilbert.
As senior at Maple Grove Senior High, he’s also taking advantage of PSEO course offerings at Hennepin Technical College.
“I always like to say, it’s your first start into the most of your careers,” said Interim Director of Admissions at Hennepin Tech, Corey Young.
PSEO stands for post secondary enrollment options.
PSEO is really an opportunity for high school students to start going to college while they’re still in high school.
“So you start working on most of your credits, it’s free to the students, which is really nice,” said Young.
The courses Josh has taken have added up to real savings.
“It’s probably saved me about two thousand dollars instead of having to pay it out of pocket, or get a loan for it all. High school has let me do what I wanted to do,” said Gilbert.
Josh already has a lawn mower repair business that he started and the classes at Hennepin Technical blend perfectly with his hands-on style of work. Next semester, he plans on taking more electrician classes.
“The other advantage is really starting earlier. So most of the students can start working on their associates degree. They can finish their associates degree before they even graduate high school,” said Young.
The PSEO program at Hennepin Technical College is strong. There are about twelve hundred students taking part in the program. Students can start taking college courses as early as the tenth grade.
