Prospective scholars
A page within McNair Scholars
Eligibility
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How do I know if I am eligible to apply?
Federal law determines eligibility to be a McNair Scholar. We highly recommend that interested students meet with McNair Scholars staff to discuss eligibility prior to applying to the program.
Participants must have completed their sophomore year as an undergraduate student by May of the application year in order to be eligible for the summer research experience.
NOTE: This program is only open to U.S. Citizens (including residents of the U.S. Trust Territories or Freely Associated States), and individuals that are permanent residents or in the process of becoming so.
OPTION 1: FIRST GENERATION AND INCOME ELIGIBILITY
McNair Scholars Programs must qualify at least 2/3 of their students using these eligibility criteria (20 U.S.C. 1070a-15(d)(1)).
Determining Your First Generation Eligibility
To qualify as a ‘‘first-generation college student’’, the parent(s) with whom you primarily lived with before turning 18 must not have completed a baccalaureate (or Bachelor) degree.
Determining Your Income Eligibility
Income eligibility is based on your family taxable income. TRIO programs (including McNair) allow an individual or family to qualify as ‘low-income’ if their Federal Taxable Income is equal to, or less than the dollar amount given for the family size indicated.
The U.S. Department of Education updates income eligibility criteria each year. Please contact our office to get help determining if you might be eligible. Often, students who receive Pell grants and/or other need-based financial aid are income eligible.
OPTION 2: EITHER FIRST-GENERATION or LOW-INCOME ELIGIBILITY
McNair Scholars Programs may qualify up to 1/3 of their students using one of these eligibility criteria (20 U.S.C. 1070a-15(d)(2)).
Eligibility blocks
I'm not planning to attend UW-La Crosse for graduate school. Can I still apply?
The McNair Scholars program is not specifically aimed at students that would attend one of UWL’s graduate programs; it prepares students for graduate school in general and does not focus on a single graduate institution. Students in the program will be provided individual academic advising to specifically tailor their application strategy to meet their graduate school goals. McNair Scholars will be given fee waivers for graduate school applications, and are generally expected to apply to at least 5 graduate programs… so we’re especially eager to assist students who are flexible about where they study.
I'm not sure that I want a Ph.D. Can I still apply?
Not everyone who participates in our program will choose to complete a Ph.D.; however, it is our program’s responsibility to make sure that all of our participants are fully prepared to pursue a Ph.D. after they graduate. The McNair Scholars program prepares students for conducting graduate research, submitting competitive graduate school applications, and securing adequate financial assistance for graduate school. Even if you’re currently moving along a clinical track, or have your sights set on a Masters degree as terminal degree, there is always a chance you might change your mind down the road and explore a career in research!
I may not go to graduate school right after graduation. Can I still apply?
There are lots of good reasons to take time off between undergraduate and graduate study. Some students have family or financial obligations that take priority. Others want to gain practical experience in the workforce before deciding on a graduate program. These are compelling reasons to wait. But some students postpone graduate study because they are nervous about how they’ll finance their education, uncertain about the application process, or because they sense that they’re somehow “not ready yet”. If this is the case for you, McNair Scholars program could give you the information & confidence you need.
The Department of Education expects that at least 70% of all McNair Scholars will begin graduate school during the fall semester following graduation; this is true whether you graduate in December of May! For this reason, the decision to postpone graduate study could impact your acceptance into the program. Please get in touch with McNair staff to discuss your situation and how we might be able to help.
Benefits
Research and Mentoring
McNair Scholar conducting research with mentor
Scholars are paired with a faculty mentor who is aligned with their major or research interest(s), and who will assist them in designing and implementing a rigorous, independent 8-10 week research project. Scholars build a strong relationship with and receive ongoing academic advising and mentoring from their mentors.
Knowledge and Training
McNair Scholars conducting field research
Scholars are enrolled in the McNair Seminar course during the Spring semester prior to their summer experience in order to prepare them for their intensive summer research project. Over the summer, they attend weekly seminars, where they receive additional research training and begin to be exposed to topics related to the graduate school application process and career planning. They also receive technical and skills training from their mentors. During the academic year following their summer research experience, scholars continue to attend McNair seminars to help them prepare for and apply to graduate schools, learn to write grants and apply for additional summer research experiences, and build professional skills to help them be successful in graduate school and beyond.
Campus Visits
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McNair Scholars have the opportunity to visit multiple graduate school campuses in the Midwest. On these visits, they learn about specific programs, connect with faculty members, and gain insight into a typical graduate student’s life. All travel is free for McNair Scholars!
Students have traveled to universities in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, California, New York, Minnesota, North Carolina, and others!
Professional Conferences
McNair Scholar at a professional conference with their mentorScholars and their mentors will travel together to present research at least one regional or national research conference. Scholars are also encouraged to give either poster or oral presentations of their research at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR), the National McNair Conference, and the UWL Research and Creativity Symposium.
Graduate School Recognition
McNair Scholars smiling Being a McNair Scholar demonstrates a seriousness of purpose and dedication toward ambitious goals; graduate schools are familiar with the program’s high standards. As a result, they often offer additional financial incentives to Scholars applying to their graduate programs, ranging from application fee waivers to full-ride fellowships to eligible students.
Application
Applications are typically accepted in the fall on a rolling basis until all positions for the cohort year are filled.
The McNair Scholars program at UW-La Crosse has a maximum of 28 scholars at a time. Students from all colleges (CSH, CASSH, SOE, CBA) are eligible but the program requires that students intend to pursue a research-based graduate degree.
We strongly recommend that you meet with a staff member before beginning an application.
Required components of the application include:
- 3 references (at least 2 from college instructors)
- a personal statement (max 2 pages double-spaced)
- current GPA, credits completed, and anticipated graduation date
The online application for the 2026-27 cohort is opening soon!
Faculty and staff: please contact our Program Coordinator, Franky Zavala fzavala@uwlax.edu, if you would like to refer a student.
