Mcnair Application Guidelines

McNair Scholars Program

SUNY Fredonia

McNair Application Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in the Fredonia McNair Scholars Program. Your decision to apply to the program indicates that you recognize the value of pursuing graduate education. As an applicant to the McNair Program, you are responsible for completing all of the attached items and submitting them to the McNair Scholars Office at SUNY College at Fredonia.

Applications will be accepted until all program spaces have been allocated. The attached items should be mailed or brought to the McNair Office, E249 or E251 Thompson Hall. When your application is received, an academic transcript will automatically be requested from the Registrar’s office for each applicant.

Eligibility:

There are two ways to qualify as eligible for the McNair Scholars Program

1)  If you are a first generation college student (neither parent has graduated from a four-year higher education institution)

and

you meet the income guidelines for the program, you may qualify to be a McNair Scholar. Complete the income eligibility form attached to see if you meet the income guidelines established by the US Department of Education. (If you have questions about this process, please do not hesitate to call a staff member for assistance).

2)  If you are a member of one of the following groups historically under-represented in graduate education, (African American, Native American, Hispanic American) you may qualify for the program without being a first generation college student, and you do not have to meet the income eligibility guidelines. However, you are still required to complete this section of the application.

We look forward to receiving your completed application, and to meeting with you in person to discuss the benefits of the McNair Program.

Kimberly Gladden Loretta Slaton Torain

Project Coordinator Recruitment & Retention Specialist

E251 Thompson Hall E249 Thompson Hall

716-673-4741  716-673-4753

Selection Criteria

Although students may be eligible for the program, that does not guarantee selection. Scholars are selected based on the following additional criteria:

Selection Criteria: You must indicate you

§  Have a commitment to obtain a doctoral (Ph.D) degree

§  Will have a minimum of 90 credits before the research internship, and complete the research internship before graduation

§  Will be able to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher

§  Have a commitment to participate in the McNair Academic Development Seminar and other McNair workshops, seminars and activities until graduation

Application Checklist:

§  Personal Data Form

§  Income Eligibility Worksheet

§  Two letters of reference from faculty (May arrive under separate cover)

§  Your personal essay

Submit all materials to:

McNair Scholars Program

E251 Thompson Hall

SUNY Fredonia

Fredonia, NY 14063

Phone: (716) 673-4741, 673- 4753

Fax (716) 673-3332

THE FREDONIA McNAIR SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Personal Data Form

Please type

LAST NAME (s) FIRST NAME M.I. /

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

/

E-MAIL ADDRESS

LOCAL ADDRESS /

CITY, STATE ZIP

/

LOCAL PHONE #

PERMANENT ADDRESS

/ CITY, STATE ZIP / PERMANENT PHONE #
Class Standing / Freshman
Sophomore /  Junior
 Senior / CURRENT NO.
OF CREDITS / EXPECT TO GRADUATE

QTR/YR

/ MAJOR / CUMULATIVE GPA
DATE OF BIRTH / U.S. CITIZEN  OTHER STATUS (Please explain)  PERMANENT RESIDENT
RESIDENT ALIEN CARD NUMBER A / SEX:
 MALE  FEMALE / MARITAL STATUS:
# OF DEPENDENTS:

Ethnic Background

 Native American:  African/Black American:

 Alaskan Native:  Asian American/Pacific Trust:

 Hispanic American:  European American:

 Other (specify):

Educational Background

Did either of your parents complete a four-year college degree? ____ Yes ____ No

If yes, who completed the degree? ____ Mother ____ Father _____ Guardian

Educational Data

1. List all higher education institutions attended:

Name of Institution Date(s)

2. How many semesters have you completed from all higher education institutions?

3. First semester enrolled at SUNY Fredonia (Month/Year):

4. Did you enroll as a Freshman Transfer Student Transfer Student w/ AA Degree ?

5. Fredonia - Academic Advisor:

6. What area most interests you for doctoral studies?

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING.

My signature below indicates that, to the best of my knowledge, the information given on

this application is true, complete and accurate.

______

(SIGNATURE] [DATE]

If you are selected as a McNair Scholar and you accept, you will be required to sign an agreement with The McNair Scholars Program that outlines the Scholar’s privileges and responsibilities.

In addition to this form, each applicant will need to complete the remainder of the application packet.

Essay:

Write a 500-word essay (approximately 2.5, double-spaced pages) explaining:

1. Why do you want to pursue a Ph.D.?

2. What are your short- and long-term career goals?

3. How can The McNair Scholars Program assist you in attaining those goals?

4. What specific research area would interest you the most (discuss a possible research topic and mentor/professor you would like to work with?)

Letters of Recommendation:

Whom have you asked to write your letters of recommendation?

FACULTY MEMBER PHONE NUMBER

FACULTY MEMBER PHONE NUMBER

Please note: The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program is funded by a federal grant, under TRIO Programs, from the U.S. Department of Education. Grant requirements require that, of the students selected for the Fredonia program each year, 2/3 will be low-income, first-generation college students, and that the remaining 1/3 will be from an ethnic group that is underrepresented in graduate study as stipulated by the U.S. Department of Education.

McNair Scholars Program ( Fredonia McNir Scholars)

2003/2004 Applicant (Eligibility for Services)

Please complete the worksheet below to determine your eligibility for the

McNair Scholars Program. If you have questions, please consult with a McNair staff person by calling (716) 673-4741 or 673-4753

Obtain a copy of the tax form you or your

Parent/guardian/spouse filed for 2002

Are you a dependent or independent Yes No

student (please use Financial Aid rules)

A. Enter you or your parent/guardian/spouse’s $______

Gross Income (AGI) from the tax form

B. How many Exemptions were claimed on the

Tax form? Choose one of the numbers below and

enter it on the line ______

1= 2800

2= 5600

3= 8400

4= 11,200

5= 14,000

C. What was the filing status on the tax form? ______

Enter the correct amount on the line

Single = 4400

Married = 7350

Married (Separately) = 3675

Head of Household = 6450

Total Income (AGI- Exemption Adjustment – ______

Filing Status) (Subtract B and C from A)

If the total income falls within the limits listed below for the size of your

family, then you may be income eligible for the McNair Program. Please

contact the McNair office so that your status may be verified.

What is the Size of your Family? ______

2003 Annual Low Income Levels

Size of Family Unit 48 Contiguous States Alaska Hawaii

1 $13,470 $16,815 $15,495

2 $18,180 $22,710 $20,910

3 $22,890 $28,605 $26,325

4 $27,600 $34,500 $31,740

5 $32,310 $40,395 $37,155

6 $37,020 $46,290 $42,570

7 $41,730 $52,185 $47,985

8 $46,440 $58,080 $53,400

For family units with more than eight members, add the following amount for each additional family member: $4,710 for the 48 Contiguous States, the District of Columbia and outlying jurisdictions; $5,895 for Alaska; and $5,415 for Hawaii.