Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I am a senior graduating this academic year. Can I apply to join the McNair Scholars Program?

A: We encourage you to apply if you have previously had an academic year or a summer research experience and meet the other eligibility requirements.

Q: I am a post-baccalaureate or graduate student. Can I be a McNair Scholar?

A: Our program focuses on students who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree. 

Q: I am an international student. Can I be a McNair Scholar?

A: Unfortunately, only US Citizens or Permanent Residents can apply for this program, which the US Department of Education federally funds.

Q: Does this program provide a scholarship?

A: This program's primary purpose is to help students prepare for and apply to PhD programs while they are in an undergraduate program. While funding is available for specific parts of this experience (summer research and related expenses), tuition costs are not supported.

Q: I have an REU opportunity. Can I still participate in the program?

A: Yes, we encourage students to take this opportunity. The REU will serve as a replacement for our summer research internship. 

Q: What does being a "first-generation college student" mean?

A: A first-generation college student is someone whose parents did not earn a 4-year bachelor’s degree. A student who lived with and was supported by only one parent is considered a first-generation student if that supporting parent did not earn a bachelor’s degree. 

Specifically, the regulations are as follows (you qualify if you meet any one of the three situations below):

(1) A student neither of whose natural or adoptive parents received a baccalaureate degree; or
(2) A student who, before the age of 18, regularly resided with and received support from only one parent and whose supporting parent did not receive a baccalaureate degree.
(3) An individual who, before the age of 18, did not regularly reside with or receive support from a natural or an adoptive parent.

Q: What is considered "low income?"

A:  Low-income individual means an individual whose family's taxable income did not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level in the calendar year preceding the year in which the individual participates in the project. Poverty level income is determined by using criteria of poverty established by the Bureau of the Census of the U.S. Department of Commerce.