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Thank you for your interest in our McNair Scholars Program! 

Please complete this application as thoroughly as possible. You may want to review the required information, take some time to make notes and gather the required documents, and then return to submit your application. 

Please also note that you will need to complete and submit your application in one sitting. You will not be able to save and return to an incomplete application. 

If you have any questions, please call our office at (509) 963-2869 or email us at mcnair@cwu.edu. You can also visit us in the McNair Scholars Program office located in Hebeler Hall, room 108.
General Information:
First Name *
Middle Name
Last Name *
School ID *
CWU Email Address *
Date of Birth *
Local Address & Phone Numbers:
Local Address *
Local Address 2
Local Address: City *
Local Address: State *
Local Address: Zip *
Home Phone
Cell Phone
Other Email Address *
Emergency Contact
Emergency Contact Name & Relation to Applicant *
Permanent Address:
Address
Address 2
City
State
Zip Code
Eligibility: 

In order to apply for the McNair Program, you must meet the following eligibility criteria, set by the Department of Education. Because this is a federally funded program, these are strict requirements.

To be eligible, you:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; and
  • Must be a low-income student who is also a first-generation college student; or 
  • Must be a member of a group that is underrepresented in graduate education (African American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Hispanic/Latino, or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander) regardless of parents' education or family income; and
  • Must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate in a degree program at CWU1; and
  • Must have completed 90 quarter credits by the time you begin the Research Fellowship, and
  • Must have at least one year remaining before graduation; and
  • Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.9, and a major GPA of at least 3.1; and
  • Must express a desire to attain a Ph.D.2

1Post-baccalaureate students and students who already have one bachelor's degree are not eligible for the program.

2Students whose career goals include a medical (MD) or other professional degrees (JD, MBA, PharmD, etc.) are not eligible for the program unless they are paired with a Ph.D. (i.e. MD-Ph.D. or JD-Ph.D.).
First-Generation: is defined as follows.
  • Neither of your parents or legal guardians completed a baccalaureate degree; OR
  • Prior to the age of 18, you regularly resided with and received support from only one parent, who did not complete a baccalaureate degree; OR
  • Prior to the age of 18, you did not regularly reside with or receive support from a natural or adoptive parent; OR
  • Your parent(s) and/or guardian(s) attended college but do not have a bachelors degree (i.e., did not graduate).
Are you a FIRST-GENERATION college student? That is, have either of your parents, or legal guardian(s) earned a bachelor's degree? *
FATHER'S or LEGAL GUARDIAN'S Full Name
FATHER'S or LEGAL GUARDIAN'S Highest Education Level Completed
FATHER'S or LEGALGUARDIAN'S Phone Number
MOTHER'S or LEGAL GUARDIAN'S Full Name
MOTHER'S or LEGAL GUARDIAN'S Highest Education Level Completed
MOTHER'S or LEGAL GUARDIAN'S Phone Number
Low-Income: 

The term "low-income individual" means an individual whose family's taxable income (1040 line 43; 1040A, line 27; 1040EZ, line 6) for the preceding year did not exceed 150% of the poverty level amount. Please note that "taxable income" is not the same as "gross income".

Go to the Department of Education's Low-Income Level webpage to see current amounts for particular family sizes.

To be considered "Low-Income", you're total family income cannot exceed the maximum taxable income listed for your family size on the Dept. of Education's TRIO Programs Current Year Low-Income levels table.

If you are uncertain about this question, please feel free to contact us for help in determining your income status (mcnair@cwu.edu).

Proof of Income: 
If you claim low-income status, you will need to submit documentation to verify your income status.

Acceptable documentation includes a copy of last year's 1040 with sensitive information redacted. Please be sure to remove any Social Security numbers or bank account numbers on any documents you submit to us.)

You may also submit a copy of your most recent Student Aid Report (SAR), which you can find in your FAFSA account online.

NOTE: If you are not claiming low-income status, you do not need to submit any income verification documents. However, if you are not underrepresented, and you are claiming First-Generation status, you must also be Low-Income in order to be eligible for the McNair Scholars Program. 
Are you considered a "LOW INCOME" college student? If you qualify for financial aid such as a Pell Grant, you may be a low-income student. *
Are you a legally DEPENDENT or INDEPENDENT student? Can someone claim you on their tax returns? *
Did you (and/or your parents/legal guardians if dependent) file taxes with the IRS last year? Please tell us if you or your parents/guardians filed. *
Enter your taxable income amount from last year.
How many people live in your family household? *
If you are claiming eligibility as a First-Generation + Low-Income applicant, then please submit your most recent IRS 1040 or FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR)
Underrepresented Status:
Applicants who are members of groups who are underrepresented in graduate education may also qualify for the program. These groups include African Americans, American Indians/Alaskan Natives, Hispanics/Latinos, or Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders regardless of parents' education or family income. 
Are you of Hispanic ethnicity? *
Are you an American Indian or an Alaskan Native? *
Are you Asian? *
Are you Black or African American? *
Are you a Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander? *
Are you White? *
What is your current resident status? *
Academic Background:
When did you begin your bachelor's degree at CWU? Enter the date. *
What is your current CWU/transfer cumulative GPA? *
What is your current major GPA? *
What is/are your current or intended Major(s)? *
What is/are your current Minor? If none, skip question.
When do you expect to graduate with your bachelor's degree? (Please provide the Quarter and Year) *
How many credit hours have you completed at the time of this application? *
Since high school, have you attended colleges or universities other than CWU? If YES, please list institutions and dates or attendance. *
Please upload any non-CWU transcripts you have from prior schools if you have them.
Do you have any degrees beyond high school? *
What is the highest degree you plan to pursue? *
Have you participated in other TRIO Programs? *

Personal Statement:
Please provide a personal statement of at least 2 pages but no more than 5 pages, single spaced, that answers the following questions:
1.) Why do you want to pursue a Ph.D.;
2.) What are your short- and long-term goals;
3.) How can the McNair Scholars Program assist you in attaining those goals;
4.) What specific research area would interest you the most and discuss a possible research topic and mentor/professor with whom you would like to work with; and
5.) Describe a personal example that shows your persistence and commitment to academic endeavors.
Upload your personal statement as a PDF or Word document *

References:
Please provide information on faculty members you have asked to write your letters of recommendation. The recommenders should be people familiar with your academic progress and goals.

AT LEAST ONE recommender must be CWU faculty in your major. Recommenders should complete the recommendation form and submit a signed copy to the McNair Program Office (Hebeler 108 at Mail Stop 7516) or email a scanned copy to mcnair@cwu.edu. 

Recommender forms can be downloaded from the McNair website. Or you can request a copy from our office at mcnair@cwu.edu.
Please provide the full name, email address, institution (e.g., CWU or other university), department, and role for your first recommender. *
Please provide the full name, email address, institution, department, and role of your second recommender. *
Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 (Buckley Amendment) you have a right to view these recommendations in your file at Central Washington University. *

Photo Release Information:
We will respect a student’s right to FERPA protection as it relates to photographs and/or video taken during their time as a McNair Scholar for use in McNair-related communications and publications.

Please contact the McNair office if you have any questions or concerns about this matter. If circumstances change during your time as a McNair scholar, you are responsible for notifying the McNair office as soon as possible.
Do you grant the CWU McNair Scholars Program permission to use photographs and/or video of you taken during your time as a McNair scholar? *
How did you hear about the McNair Program?

Acknowledgement and Verification Confirmation:
My signature below indicates that, to the best of my knowledge, the information given on this application is true, complete and accurate. To become a McNair Scholar, the federal government requires access to my student records. I, therefore, authorize the McNair Scholars Program to have access to my transcripts, enrollment documents, and financial aid information, with the understanding that this information will be kept confidential.
Sign and Submit:
Applicant Signature *
Signature Type: SMS    Start Over
After validation, the cell phone number will become part of the electronic signature.
Cell Phone Number: