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University of Florida
Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program
Application Packet 2016-2017
The Program
The University of Florida (UF) Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program was established in 1995
and has been in existence for almost 20 years. Housed under the Office of Undergraduate Affairs, the McNair
Scholars Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and serves a diverse group of talented UF juniors
and seniors who are interested in pursuing graduate education and earning a doctorate. UF McNair provides enriching
scholastic experiences that prepare eligible students to be successful applicants to competitive graduate programs.
Program participants benefit from a variety of services, such as: intensive faculty-mentored research experience;
graduate student mentoring; peer support; academic, career, personal and financial aid counseling; GRE preparation;
assistance with applying to graduate school; travel opportunities; and tutoring. There are currently 151 McNair
programs throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Eligibility
McNair Scholars are selected on a competitive basis. To be eligible, an applicant must:
 Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
 Be a UF undergraduate student with 60 or more credit hours by the start of summer 2016
 Be within 2 years of graduation, but not graduating prior to May 2017
 Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
 Meet at least one of the following requirements:
o Be a first-generation college student who also meets established federal income guidelines, OR
o Be a member of a group underrepresented in graduate education (Alaska Native, American Indian,
Black, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian, Native Pacific Islander)
 Have sincere intentions to pursue a Ph.D. after graduation
Program Requirements
Students must demonstrate a true commitment to pursuing doctoral studies and agree to participate in all of the
following: intensive faculty-guided summer research program and ongoing research during the academic year,
summer research methods & writing course, summer GRE prep classes, seminars, workshops, and advisement
meetings with McNair staff. Participants are required to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Program Benefits
McNair Scholars conduct research under the guidance of a faculty mentor beginning in the summer and continuing
throughout the academic year. Scholars will receive up to $2800 for completion of all requirements of the research
component (e.g. submit drafts and final research paper to the program or submit a paper to the Journal of
Undergraduate Research; give an oral presentation at the McNair Summer Research Symposium; present a poster
at the UF Undergraduate Research Symposium). Additionally, scholars will have opportunities to travel to professional
conferences to present their research and/or to visit prospective graduate programs at universities of interest.
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Scholars who complete the program in good standing will have access to graduate school application fee waivers
and potential graduate fellowships offered to McNair Scholars by a number of universities in the U.S.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit all of the following to have a complete application:
 Application checklist
 “Do I Qualify” form
 Completed and signed application form
 Copy of your most recent FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR)
 Personal statement (maximum 2 pages, 1 inch margins, 12 pt font, double-spaced)
 Resume (maximum 2 pages) including, but not limited to, academic honors, involvement in student and
professional organizations, extracurricular activities, and previous research experience
 Three (3) recommendations (at least two must be from faculty)
 Proof of eligibility documentation, as applicable (e.g. income tax return, permanent resident card)
All materials must be submitted to the UF McNair Scholars Program Office by 5:00 pm on the day of the deadline.
Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program
University of Florida
319 Infirmary Building
P.O. Box 113280
Gainesville, FL 32611-3280
(352) 846 - 2575
http://mcnair.aa.ufl.edu
The application deadline is January 29, 2016.
The University of Florida Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department
of Education under the Higher Education Act of 1965, Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2.
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University of Florida
Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program
Application Checklist
UFID
Last Name
First Name
Classification: ☐ Sophomore
Checklist:
Middle Initial
☐ Junior
☐ Senior
☐ “Do I Qualify” Form
☐ Completed & Signed Application
☐ Personal Statement
☐ Resume
☐ Requested Three Recommendations (list names below)
Recommender 1: _____________________________________________
Recommender 2: _____________________________________________
Recommender 3: _____________________________________________
☐ Copy of Most Recent FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR)
☐ Additional Eligibility Documentation (as applicable)
☐ Copy of last year’s income tax return
☐ Copy of permanent resident card
Comments: (enter any notes about your application here)
OFFICE USE ONLY
Date application received: _________________________ Postmark date, if mailed: ______________________
Date applicant notified of receipt of application: ____________________________
This applicant is (check all that apply): ☐ First-Generation ☐ Low-Income ☐ Underrepresented
☐ Accepted ☐ Waitlisted ☐ Denied (reason) ____________________________________________________
Staff Initials: ________________
Date: ________________________
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University of Florida
Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program
Do I Qualify?
The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is a federally funded TRIO program sponsored by
the U.S. Department of Education. This form is provided to determine your eligibility before applying.
Please check all of the following provisions that apply to you:
Yes
No
I am a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
☐
☐
I am a member of a racial or ethnic group that is underrepresented in graduate education:
Alaska Native, American Indian, Black, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian, or Native Pacific Islander.
☐
☐
I am a first–generation college student (neither of my parents earned a 4-year degree) -- (1) a student
neither of whose natural or adoptive parents received a baccalaureate degree; or (2) a student who,
prior to the age of 18, regularly resided with and received support from only one parent, and whose
supporting parent did not receive a baccalaureate degree; or (3) an individual who, prior to the age of
18, did not regularly reside with or receive support from a natural or an adoptive parent.
☐
☐
I meet the Federal TRIO Programs low income guidelines (my family’s taxable income is at or below
the limits in the table below). Students are required to provide documentation of taxable income.
☐
☐
Federal TRIO Programs Current Year Low-Income Levels: Taxable Income
(Effective January 28, 2015 until further notice)
Size of Family Unit
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
48 Contiguous States,
D.C., and Outlying Jurisdictions
$17,655
$23,895
$30,135
$36,375
$42,615
$48,855
$55,095
$61,335
Alaska
Hawaii
$22,080
$29,880
$37,680
$45,480
$53,280
$61,080
$68,880
$76,680
$20,325
$27,495
$34,665
$41,835
$49,005
$56,175
$63,345
$70,515
For family units with more than eight members, add the following amount for each additional family member: $6,240 for the 48
contiguous states, the District of Columbia and outlying jurisdictions; $7,800 for Alaska; and $7,170 for Hawaii.
I certify that the information above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Name: ____________________________________________
Signature: __________________________________________
Date: ____________________________
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University of Florida
Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program
Application
All information requested in this application is for the purpose of determining your eligibility for the McNair Scholars
Program. All information received will be treated with strict confidentiality.
Applicant Information
UFID
Last Name
First Name
Middle Initial
Gender
☐ Female ☐ Male
Current Address
Permanent Address
Street/Apt #
City
State
Zip Code
Current Phone
Permanent Phone
E-Mail Address
Citizenship* (select one)
Ethnicity (select one)
Race (select all that apply)
☐ U.S. Citizen
☐ Permanent U.S. Resident
☐ Other (specify below)
☐ American Indian/Alaska Native
☐ Asian
☐ Black/African American
☐ Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander
☐ White
_______________________
* If you are not a U.S. citizen, please attach a photocopy of your permanent resident card.
☐ Hispanic/Latino
☐ Not Hispanic/Latino
Educational Information
Major(s)
Minor(s)
Current Classification
Cumulative UF GPA
Last Semester GPA
☐ Sophomore ☐ Junior ☐ Senior
Total Credit Hours Earned
Number of Credits Currently Registered For
What is the highest degree you seek to obtain?
☐ Uncertain ☐ Bachelor’s ☐ Master’s ☐ Ed.D. ☐ Ph.D.
☐ Other (specify)
Expected Graduation Date
(Semester/Year)
Proposed Field of Graduate Study
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Family Information
Highest Educational Level Completed by Parents or Legal Guardian
Mother/Legal Guardian
☐ Less than High School ☐ High School ☐ Some College ☐ Bachelor’s Degree ☐ Graduate/Professional Degree
Father/Legal Guardian
☐ Less than High School ☐ High School ☐ Some College ☐ Bachelor’s Degree ☐ Graduate/Professional Degree
Income Verification**
** Please include a copy of the appropriate federal income tax return from the previous year. Applicant’s
name should appear on the return that is submitted. Black out all social security numbers. **
What is the number of individuals living in your family household?
☐ Dependent
If you are a dependent applicant (received support from parent(s) or guardian):
Did your parents/guardian file a federal income tax return for last year? ☐ Yes ☐ No
If yes, what was their TAXABLE income?
☐ Independent
If you are an independent applicant (at least 24 years of age; or a veteran, orphan (both
parents deceased), ward of the court, married, or have dependents other than a spouse):
Did you file a federal income tax return for last year? ☐ Yes ☐ No
If yes, what was your TAXABLE income?
Prior TRIO Experience
Please indicate if you have participated in any of the following TRIO programs:
☐Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC) ☐Student Support Services (SSS) ☐ Talent Search ☐ Upward Bound
Other UF Program Participation
Please indicate if you have participated in any of the following programs:
☐AIM ☐ FGLSAMP ☐Florida Opportunity Scholars ☐ Gator Engineering @ Sante Fe ☐ Honors Program
☐ Science for Life ☐ STEPUP ☐ University Scholars Program
Research Plans
McNair Scholars conduct research under the guidance of a UF faculty member. If a professor has already agreed to
serve as your mentor, please enter their information and the topic you plan to research below. Note: The UF Center
for Undergraduate Research has resources to assist students with finding a mentor and research project. Visit
http://cur.aa.ufl.edu or call (352) 846-3222 for more information.
Faculty Mentor’s Name
Research Topic:
Mentor’s Department
Mentor’s Email
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Personal Statement
Attach a personal statement (2 pages maximum, 1 inch margins, 11 pt font, double-spaced) describing the following: (1) Your
educational and career goals; (2) your research interests and prior research experience; (3) your motivation for pursuing a
doctoral degree; (4) the contributions you wish to make to your field, as well as to your community, with a doctoral degree; and
(5) how participation in the McNair Scholars Program will help you reach your goals. Include your name & UFID on each page.
Resume
Attach a professional resume (2 pages maximum) including, but not limited to, the following: academic honors, involvement in
student and professional organizations, extracurricular activities, and any previous research experience. Include your name &
UFID on each page.
How did you hear about the McNair Scholars Program?
☐McNair Scholar ☐ McNair Staff ☐ McNair Mentor ☐ McNair Peer Advisor ☐ Other Faculty/Staff ☐ Friend ☐ Flyer
☐ Recruiting Event ☐ Email from McNair Program ☐ Other (specify) ___________________________________________
Please read and sign the following statement:
The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program is a federally funded project designed to increase the number of
underrepresented individuals pursing doctoral study. The information in this application and all accompanying
documents is strictly confidential and will only be used to determine eligibility and fit for the program.
I hereby grant the University of Florida’s Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program permission to access and
review my academic records (transcripts & grades) for the purposes of verifying my eligibility and aiding in
my potential selection for the program.
Additionally, I certify that all of the information provided in the application above is true and correct to the
best of my knowledge.
Applicant’s Signature: _________________________________________
Date: _________________________
Please return to:
Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program
University of Florida
319 Infirmary Building
P.O. Box 113280
Gainesville, FL 32611-3280
The University of Florida Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department
of Education under the Higher Education Act of 1965, Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2.