Applying to SIU McNair Scholars Program
The Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program is a comprehensive program structured to
prepare undergraduates for successful careers as graduate students, professors, and professional researchers. The
program is an educational opportunity program funded under the Higher Education Act of 1965 collectively known
as TRIO Programs. The McNair Scholars Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and provides
enriching educational experiences for low-income, first-generation college students and members of underserved
groups in higher education. At Southern Illinois University Carbondale, the McNair Scholars Program
accommodates twenty-eight (28) students each year. All students participate in academic year and summer activities
until they graduate. McNair Scholars are motivated students who have both the desire and the potential to earn a
doctorate degree. By participating in the program, scholars increase and refine their academic skills as they learn tools
that will help them be successful in graduate schools.
BENEFITS:
McNair Scholars Program provides:

Individualized academic and personal support
from McNair staff.

Summer stipend for conducting research.

Participation in the McNair Summer Research
Symposium.

GRE preparation software and tutoring.

Mentoring from faculty, graduate students and
peers.

Travel awards to participate in research
conferences and visit graduate schools.

Workshops on the graduate school application
process, financial aid, scholarships and
fellowships, and the culture of graduate school.

Assistance in locating and applying to graduate
schools.

Access to academic coaching/ tutoring.
EXPECTATIONS:
McNair Scholars are required to:
 Attend scheduled events and workshops and
maintain regular contact with McNair staff and
faculty mentor.
 Conduct research full-time and participate in all
required activities during the eight-week Summer
Research Institute, including weekly meetings,
GRE sessions, final paper and presentation.
 Present a poster at the SIU Undergraduate
Research Forum.
 Complete bachelor’s degree and apply to at least
three graduate degree programs before
graduating.
 Provide the McNair staff alumni updates on
your academic and professional
accomplishments.
Applications are accepted each Fall and Spring semesters and the deadlines are: Nov.4 and Mar. 3. Please submit the
following application materials to the McNair Scholars Office (C117 Woody Hall) by the end of business (4:30pm):
 STEP 1: Complete the “Can I Become a McNair Scholar” eligibility form (must be signed by a staff member)
 STEP 2: McNair Program application
o (2) Essays-Personal Statement, Research Statement, & Resume
o Most recent copy of IRS Tax Return
o Most recent copy of your FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR)
o SIU Unofficial Transcript (If you are a transfer student you will need to supply a copy of your transcript from your
previous institution(s) upon admission into the program)
 STEP 3: 3 Letters of Recommendation, two must be from faculty members
After the selection committee reviews the application packets, qualifying applicants will be invited for an interview within
two weeks of application submission. Final decisions will be made within one week following the last interview. Please
contact us if you have any questions.
Good Luck!
Woody Hall C117 | Mail Code 4719 900 S. Normal Avenue |Carbondale, IL 62901
Website: mcnair.siu.edu| phone: 618.453.4582|fax: 618.453.4596| email: rseymour@siu.edu
Updated Aug 2015
STEP 1: Can I Become a McNair Scholar?
The program helps motivated, high-achieving students prepare for and excel in graduate school. Students must
meet a few eligibility requirements to apply to become an SIU Carbondale McNair Scholar. You must be a firstgeneration college student and fall within certain income guidelines. This form is provided to determine your
eligibility before submitting an application. Please check all criteria that apply.
I have an overall grade point average that is at least a 2.7.
I am interested in pursuing a doctoral degree after receiving your bachelor’s degree.
I am a U.S. citizen or I meet the residency requirements for federal student financial assistance.

I am a first generation college student because my parents (or guardians) have not earned a bachelor’s
degree.

I am low-income based on the Federal Trio Programs Annual Low-Income Levels as shown in the chart
below:
HOUSEHOLD SIZE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
TAXABLE INCOME
$17,655
$23,895
$30,135
$36,375
$42,615
$48,855
$55,095
$61,335
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.
The figures shown under family income represent amounts equal to 150 percent of the family income levels established
by the Census Bureau for determining poverty status. The poverty guidelines were published by the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services in the Federal Register on January 22, 2015.

I am a member of a group traditionally underrepresented in doctoral programs including women in certain
STEM fields as documented by the most recent report on Women, Minorities, and Persons with
Disabilities in Science and Engineering, http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/2015/nsf15311/digest/.
I certify that the information above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I grant permission to
the SIU McNair Program to access my educational records.
Student Name(print):__________________________
Signature: ___________________________________
McNair Staff Signature:___________________________
Student’s Signature: _______________________
Date: ________________
Date:_________________
Woody Hall C117 | Mail Code 4719 900 S. Normal Avenue |Carbondale, IL 62901
Website: mcnair.siu.edu| phone: 618.453.4582|fax: 618.453.4596| email: rseymour@siu.edu
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY: Application Date: __/____
Unofficial Transcript GPA :____
Eligibility: __FGLI __UR
Income Verification: ___ FAFSA ___ Tax Form
Transfer Student:
__ NO
__YES
Essays:
__Personal
___Research
___ Resume
___ Letter 1
___ Letter 2 ___ Letter 3
SRI Date:
___ Accepted
___ Denied (reason):
Initial & Date:
STEP 2: Before completing this application, please meet with a
McNair staff member to complete the verification process in STEP 1.
1. APPLICANT’S INFORMATION
SIU ID #
Social Security #
Birthdate:
Hometown:
(Listed in press releases)
Name:
Last Name:
First Name:
Middle Name:
Current
Address:
Permanent
Address:
Email
Address:
Gender:
Street
City
State, Zip
Street
City
State, Zip
Local Phone:
Alternate Phone:
Citizenship
____ U.S. Citizen
___ Single
___Married
___ Divorced
___Permanent Resident#______________ ___ Other (specify) ______________
Ethnicity:
___ African American
___ Alaskan Native
Expiration Date:___________________
___ Caucasian
___ Hispanic/Latino/a
___ Female
___ Male
Marital Status:
___ Native American
___ Other (specify)_______________
Have you been or are you currently a participant in any of these programs?
___ Talent Search
___ Upward Bound
___ REACH
___ Research Rookies
___ First Scholars
___ University Honors
Program
Current Employment:
___ Undergrad Assistantships
___ ILSAMP
Total # of Hours Weekly:
Summer Research Institute: Will you be available for the 8-week Summer Research Program (40hrs per week)?
During the Summer Research Program, you will not be allowed to take classes or work outside of the program.)
___ Yes ___ No
Phone
Emergency Contact: Name
2. EDUCATION
Classification: ___ Sophomore
Total # of earned credit hours:
___ Junior
___ Senior
Total # of credit hours this semester:
What is your current major?
Are you a transfer student?
___ Other(specify):
Current overall GPA:
When do you expect to graduate?
(Month/year):
Name of Institution
City & State
If yes, please list institution & location.
___ No __
Yes
What level of education do you
see yourself completing?
___ Uncertain ___Bachelor’s ___Master’s ___Ph.D. ___ Other (specify)_______
What is your proposed field of graduate study?
Please list your current research interest within
your discipline
3. FAMILY INFORMATION
(Last, First M.)
Mother’s (Guardian’s)
Name:
Mother’s (Guardian’s) Highest level of education attained (please check)
 Less than High School
 High School
 Some College
 Bachelor’s
(Last,
First
M.)
Father’s (Guardian’s)
Name:
Father’s (Guardian’s)Highest level of education attained (please check)
____Less than High School
 High School
 Some College
 Bachelor’s
 Master’s
 Doctorate
 Master’s
 Doctorate
4. INCOME VERIFICATION
Attach a copy of your FAFSA’s Student Aid Report (SAR) and a copy of your family’s most recent tax form for
income verification ( Form 1040, 1040 EZ or Family financial statement or other evidence of taxable income)
What is the number of individuals living in your family household?__________
I am considered Dependent Student by the SIU Financial Aid Office.
Did your parents file a federal tax return for last year?  Yes  No
If yes, what was their TAXABLE income? ____________________
*Please provide a copy of the appropriate tax return.
I am considered Independent Student by the SIU Financial Aid Office.
(This means you are at least 24 years of age, or a veteran, orphan, married, or have dependents other than a spouse.)
Did you file a federal tax return for last year?  Yes  No
If yes, what was their TAXABLE income? ____________________
*Please provide a copy of the appropriate tax return.
5. RESUME 1-pg (Turn in with your application)
Please provide a 1-page resume that lists your employment, academic honors, distinctions, scholarships,
memberships, leadership positions, volunteer hours, research activities and other academic or enrichment
experiences that demonstrate your commitment to academic excellence and scholarship.
6. TWO ESSAYS (Turn in with your application)
A. Personal/Professional Statement (2 pages)
Use this essay as an opportunity for the admissions committee to learn more about you and your background.
Limit your essay to a maximum of two typed double spaced pages with 1-inch margins and 12 point font
using standard paragraph construction.
DO NOT use lists or bullets in your personal statement. Your essay should address the following areas:
 Your ultimate educational and career goals, including why you are interested in attending graduate
school.
 Your personal attributes and professional skills that will enable you to achieve your goals, including
any weaknesses or obstacles that may be a challenge to your success.
 Why you are interested in participating and what you hope to accomplish through your involvement
in the SIU McNair Scholars Program.
B. Statement of Research experiences and Interests (up to 1 page )
Type on a separate sheet of paper a statement describing your research experiences (if any) and research
interests. Discuss the academic area in which you would like to conduct research if selected as a McNair
Scholar. Provide an example of a specific topic or questions you want to explore. Include this statement with
your application packet.
7. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Three letters of recommendation are required; at least two letters should be solicited from faculty members who have
knowledge of your academic performance, research experiences, and/or professional goals. See separate
Recommendation Form. Your recommendations can be mailed directly to the McNair Office or placed in a signed
envelope and included in your application packet. Once received, these confidential references will become the
property of the McNair Program. Provide name, position/title, and contact information for each reference who have
agreed to write about your qualifications and potential for success in graduate study.
Name:
Address:
Title:
City, St, Zip:
Telephone:
Name:
Institution:
Email:
Title:
Institution:
Address:
City, St, Zip:
Telephone:
Email:
Name:
Title:
Institution:
Address:
City, St, Zip:
Telephone:
Email:
8. SIU Carbondale McNair Scholars Program Release Form
This release form enables the McNair Scholars Program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale to obtain copies of
all academic and financial aid records, including transcripts, grade reports, financial aid eligibility, and other information
pertaining to my possible enrollment in the McNair Program. This information may be shared with other university
personnel in accordance with federal regulations and university policy.
I understand that a copy of my application form will be kept on file at the McNair Scholars Program Office and that the
resulting information received from counselors, admission and financial aid officers, instructors, etc. will be kept
confidential in compliance with the Family Rights and Privacy Act.
If I am accepted into the program, I grant permission for the McNair Scholars Program to use photographs or
likenesses of myself in various publications.
I hereby certify to the best of my knowledge that all information submitted is complete and accurate. I understand that
failure to disclose information, or falsification of information, are grounds for not being accepted to the SIUC McNair
Program and, if accepted into the program, grounds for immediate termination.
Printed Name:
Signature:
Date:
Updated Aug 2015
STEP 3: Three recommendations are required; at least two should be solicited from faculty members who have knowledge of
your academic performance, research experiences, and/or professional goals. Please provide each person completing a
recommendation reference with a copy of this form.
Applicant’s Name:
STEP 3: RECOMMENDATION FORM
SIU ID#
Proposed Field of Graduate Study :
Optional Waiver: I voluntarily waive all rights to review this letter of recommendation conferred by the Family Education
Rights & Privacy Act of 1974.
Signature____________________________________________ Date: ___________________________
The person named above is applying to the SIU Carbondale McNair Scholars Program. We are a federally
funded program that provides training and support to sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are from
groups underrepresented in graduate education. McNair Scholars receive support for continued
professional activities including undergraduate research, publication, conference attendance, graduate
school visits, and other activities that support the pursuit of doctoral study. We would appreciate your
honest evaluation of the applicant’s personality, character, and professional and academic promise. In your
statement, please discuss the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses and give the basis of your opinion. We
wish to select bright and motivated students who will benefit from our program. You may include a letter in
addition to this form. Thank you for taking the time to complete this form.
1) For how long and in what capacity have you known the applicant?
2) Please comment on the applicant’s academic strengths.
3) To what extent do you believe that the applicant could benefit from the McNair Scholars
Program?
SIU McNair Scholars Program (Page 2)
Using the scale provided below, how does the applicant compare in the following areas to students
in the same field of study with similar training and experience?
Below
Average
Average
Above
Average
Outstanding
Exceptional
No Basis
for
Judgment
Academic Aptitude and Potential
for Graduate School
Present Academic Performance
in Area of Concentration
Ability to work with others
Willingness to accept constructive
feedback
Emotional Maturity
Self-Confidence
Self-Reliance and Independence
Ability in written expression
Please indicate the strength of your overall endorsement of the applicant (check one)
I highly recommend the applicant.
I recommend the applicant with some reservations.
I do not recommend the applicant.
Name_________________________________________________ Title__________________________
Institution___________________________________________________________________________
Email_________________________________________________ Phone_________________________
Signature______________________________________________ Date__________________________
Please Check: ___Faculty Member ___Other (specify)______________________
Updated Aug 2015