McNair Eligibility

Student Eligibility

It is best to make an appointment with the McNair Director to discuss your eligibility prior to submitting an application for the McNair Scholars Program.

Applicants must be:
• A first generation college student (neither parent has completed a baccalaureate degree) and they must meet the income guidelines published by the U.S. Department of Education relative to taxable income and the number of individuals residing in the student's household.
OR
• A member of one of the groups which are historically underrepresented in graduate education. The federal McNair Program regulations define students underrepresented in graduate education as Black (non-Hispanic), Hispanic, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiians, and Native American Pacific Islanders.
AND
• Applicants must be United States citizens or have proof of permanent resident status.

SELECTION CRITERIA:
Applicants who are selected for the program must:
• Have a commitment to immediately enroll in graduate study upon completion of their St. Lawrence degree and obtain a doctoral degree (PhD) within 10 years of their graduation.
• Have earned a minimum of 16 units before the summer research internship, and successfully complete the research internship before graduation.
• Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the major and an overall 2.8 or above.
• Demonstrate a commitment to participate in McNair orientation, meetings, workshops, seminars and other activities until graduation.