The GVSU McNair Scholars Program provides support to first generation students with significant financial need, or members of racial and ethnic groups that are traditionally underrepresented in careers that require Ph.Ds. The goal of the program is to provide students support in undergraduate research, graduate school preparation, and the graduate school application process. 

Benefits of the Program

Timeline

Eligibility

Selection Process

Interested in learning more? Fill out our Interest Form and we will be in touch!

Current Fall Semester Programming

McNair Program Benefits

McNair Scholars receive a wide range of financial resources and professional development training to support the pursuit of a Ph.D in any academic field of study.

The benefits of our program include:

• a stipend of up to $4,000 while doing summer research
• Experience working directly with Ph.D. faculty at GVSU
• Free, on-campus housing while doing summer research
• Funding for Graduate School visits
• Funding to attend and present at academic conferences
• Free tutoring
• Free writing course for graduate school preparation taught by a Ph.D. faculty member at GVSU (spring/summer only)
• Advising for career assessment and planning
• Education or advising services that improve financial and economic literacy of students
• Training on how to locate, apply for, and win scholarships, fellowships, and grants
• Public speaking and presentation training
• Summer internships
• Seminars and other educational activities designed to prepare students for Ph.D. study
• Assistance with drafting graduate school application materials
• Academic advising
• Activities that teach students how to gain admittance into Ph.D. programs
• Exposure to cultural events and academic enrichment programs
• Preparation for graduate school entrance exams

Timeline

McNair is a 15-month program, split by semester. Scholars progress through each stage of the program based on performance, commitment, and effort. 

*Please note that this schedule may vary depending on the student’s academic schedule and programming changes

Eligibility

Students who are interested in this program must be:

• A first-generation college student – with a limited income
  First generation means: 
  • A student neither of whose natural or adoptive parents received a bachelors degree prior to the applicant turning age 18 ; OR
  • A student who, prior to the age of 18, regularly lived with and received support from only one parent, and that supporting parent did not receive a bachelors degree.
  • An individual who, prior to the age of 18, did not regularly live with or receive support from a natural or an adoptive parent (e.g. a ward of the state of foster child).

     OR

• A member of an underrepresented group in graduate education (African American, Hispanic, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, Native Pacific Islander

*A Scholar may be both first-gen with limited income AND an underrepresented student of color.

Additionally, students must:

• Be a citizen or a permanent resident of the U.S.
• Have and maintain a 2.5 GPA overall
• Have an interest in conducting research (research is required one or two summers with the program)
• Dedication to earning a Ph.D. in any major (commitment to pursuing a Ph.D, regardless of your field of study, is a program requirement)

Students pursuing MD (only), JD, PharmD, PT, OT, DNP, and DDS are not eligible for the McNair Scholars Program
 

To check whether you are eligible, complete our eligibility survey

McNair Scholars Program Eligibility Survey

Selection Process

1. Review the McNair website for information on eligibility and benefits of the program as well as our Frequently Asked Questions
2. Submit an Interest Form for review
3. Meet with the McNair Director in-person or via Zoom to discuss your interest in the program and its requirements
4. Submit official McNair application (emailed to eligible students after meeting with the McNair Director)

Applicants need to complete an application (application form, personal statement, tax documents {if applicable}, and 2 letters of recommendation from faculty) which will be reviewed by the McNair Scholars Selection Committee. Students will then be invited in for a 30-minute interview, after which selection determinations are made.

 Applications are accepted throughout the year for the fall, though the priority application deadline is mid- to late October. After October, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and admittances are made as roster spots are available. McNair is limited to 34 students per year.

The Priority Application Deadline for 2022-2023 is October 31, 2022.