The McNair Scholars Program prepares undergraduate students who are income-eligible, first-generation college students and/or students from underrepresented groups for graduate education in doctoral study. Students engage in transformative research experiences and receive exceptional mentorship with professional and personal development.
Program Benefits
- Graduate school preparation
- GRE fee reduction waivers, hands-on GRE tutoring
- Professional research
- Graduate school visits
- Professional conferences
- Graduate scholarships and funding opportunities
- Graduate school application fee waivers, McNair specific research assistantships and teaching assistantships
- $3,500 stipend – get paid to be a scholar!
Eligibility Requirements
U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Degree-seeking student with sophomore or junior standing (by credit)
Low-income and first-generation student:
- Must meet federal low-income guidelines
- Neither parent has earned a bachelor’s degree
and/or
Underrepresented student:
- Native American or Alaskan Native
- Hispanic or Latinx
- Black or African American
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders
Learn More
UMD students may become McNair Scholars through the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, the College of St. Scholastica, and the University of Wisconsin Superior. Programs are similar, and they collaborate with one another. Program directors will meet with students any time during the year to answer questions and verify eligibility.
UMN Contacts:
Anthony Albecker, Program Director, [email protected]
McNair Team, [email protected]
University of Minnesota McNair Program website
University of Minnesota Online Application (priority application Oct. 31, rolling admissions until cohort set)
CSS Contacts:
- Troy Abfalter, Program Director, 218-625-4833
- Julian Vela, Academic Coordinator, 218-723-5932
- [email protected]
- CSS program website
UWS Contacts:
- Monte Stewart, Program Director, [email protected], 715-394-8093
- Schedule a meeting: https://calendly.com/mstewar9
- Aaron Wainman, Assistant Director, [email protected], 715-394-8088
- Schedule a meeting: https://calendly.com/awainman
- UWS program website
Apply
The first step to becoming a McNair Scholar is expressing your interest and determining eligibility. These applications are due by October 31, and interested students may apply to one or both programs. After the first step is completed and eligibility is confirmed, next steps include a more detailed application with references and an interview.