About TRIO McNair

The Ronald E. McNair Standard

Dr. McNair graduated as valedictorian from Carver High School in 1967. In 1971, he graduated magna cum laude and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro). Dr. McNair then enrolled in the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1976, at the age of 26, he earned his Ph.D. in laser physics.

His many distinctions include being a Presidential Scholar (1971-74), a Ford Foundation Fellow (1971-74), a National Fellowship Fund Fellow (1974-75), and a NATO Fellow (1975). Dr. Ronald E. McNair was the second African American to fly in space, and his endless list of accomplishments inspired members of Congress to provide funding for what is now TRIO McNair.

The goal: To encourage low-income and first-generation college students, and students from historically underrepresented ethnic groups to expand their educational opportunities by enrolling in a Ph.D. program and ultimately pursue an academic career. This program is dedicated to the high standards of achievement inspired by Dr. McNair’s life.

Potential Scholars must be:

  • A U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • First-generation college student
  • Income Eligible (per the Fed’s guidelines)
  • Member of an underrepresented group
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher
  • 60 credit hours completed

Students are a good fit for the program if they are:

  • Committed to participating in academic year and summer activities
  • Committed to pursuing their PhD

TRIO McNair at Nevada State

Although the U.S. Department of Education began funding TRIO McNair grants in 1989, the program did not arrive at Nevada State until 2022. Since then, our program has helped several first-gen students grow confident in their skills and ability to get to grad school.

The TRIO McNair Scholars Program is for high-achieving, motivated students who want to prepare for and excel in graduate school.

Scholars take their academic work seriously, work hard to maintain good grades, are interested in pursuing mentored research opportunities in their field of study, and have the long-term goal of pursuing a doctoral degree.

Frequently asked questions

  • Application

    • I am a transfer student. Can I ask for letters of recommendation from instructors at my previous institution?
      • Yes. Letters of recommendation are an important part of your application, and all efforts should be made to receive letters of recommendation from professors who know you well and can speak to your potential for success in graduate school.
    • Can I get a letter of recommendation from an employer or an organization I volunteered for? Who should I ask to write my letters of recommendation?
      • Yes, but we strongly recommend that at least one of your letters come from academic faculty. If you must get them from non-faculty, make sure the recommender can speak to your academic potential, work ethic, and potential for success in McNair and graduate school.
    • What happens if my letter of recommendation arrives past the deadline?
      • Please contact us at mcnair@nevadastate.edu
    • What happens if I miss an application deadline?
      • Admission to the program can happen outside of application periods, but there is a higher risk of being put on a waitlist as availability may vary throughout the school year. Applying by the deadline also maximizes the amount of services you can partake in and benefit from once accepted. Students who are not officially accepted into the program cannot be served due to limitations set by our grant.
    • When is the best time to apply to the McNair Scholars Program?
      • Ideally, the best time to apply is when you are about to reach 60 credits or the beginning of your Junior year. We do, though, consider prospective scholars despite their grade standing on a case-by-case basis.

  • Eligibility and Qualifications

    • My GPA is below a 3.0, do I still have a chance of being considered?
      • If you are committed to pursuing a Ph.D., we highly encourage you to submit an application! If you are not currently at a 3.0, it is important that you are working with the resources available to you so you may raise it and become a competitive applicant for doctoral programs.
    • Can I still apply if I'm a senior or plan to graduate within the next 2 semesters?
      • Potential scholars with 60 credits or Junior standing receive priority, but we encourage all students interested in a Ph.D. to speak with us so we can explore your options!
    • What is a first-generation college student?
      • A college student whose parents or guardians did not obtain a four-year bachelor's degree. If your parents obtained technical/vocational certificates, you are still first-generation.
    • What does income-eligible mean?
      • Income guidelines are established by the federal government. You can check if you meet those guidelines here.
    • I am an international student/undocumented/a DACA recipient, can I join McNair?
      • Unfortunately, our program can only serve current permanent residents and U.S. citizens as we are federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are in the process of establishing residency, you will need to provide evidence of your USCIS application.
    • How do I know if I’m a dependent or independent student?
      • If you are over the age of 24, you are an independent student. However, there are 15 alternate criteria that confer independent student status if you are under the age of 24. Please reach out to mcnair@nevadastate.edu if you need help.
    • Do I have to be enrolled full time to be considered for the program?
      • Current enrollment at at Nevada State is required, and there is preference for full-time students. Part-time student applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be considered.
    • Are all majors eligible?
      • Yes! We encourage students from all majors to apply as long as they are looking to pursue a doctorate education in their field.
    • Can I apply if I already have a bachelor’s degree? I am a post-baccalaureate or graduate student. Can I be a McNair scholar?
      • Unfortunately, the program is only available to current undergraduate students.

  • Financial

    • Is McNair a scholarship?
      • No. We are a research and graduate school preparation program, but we do have funding to provide for students in the form of stipends and travel funding.
    • Will I receive funding as a McNair Scholar?
      • Yes! Stipends are dependent on the completion of scholarly activity and conference participation. Students may also submit requests to receive funding for conference travel.
    • Will the stipend affect my financial aid?
      • No. If you run into any issues when receiving your financial aid, please reach out to mcnair@nevadastate.edu.

  • General

    • Is there a cost to join McNair?
      • No, we are a free program! We also provide financial assistance for our Scholars' research projects, conference attendance, and any other McNair related expenses (posters, scholarly materials). We just ask you are mindful of the time and effort required by our program.
    • How do McNair stipends work?
      • Our Scholars can receive up to $2,800 annually. The stipends are available for three components: SRI up to $2,000 based on completed deliverables, three graduate school applications submitted $400, and $400 for a conference research presentation.
    • I'm not sure of what kind of research I want to do, am I still allowed to apply?
      • Yes! As you apply, we do ask that you describe the topic you would like to explore for your project. Coming into the program with absolutely no idea of what you'd like to research could impede you from fully benefitting from and succeeding in our program.
    • Do I need to have a faculty mentor when I apply?
      • No! We can support you in your search for a mentor once you are accepted into the program. We do ask that you identify at least one or two faculty members you'd be interested in working with as you apply to the program so we can get started on the process of helping you reach out to them once you're officially a Scholar. If you are already committed to working with a specific faculty member by the time you apply, please be sure to mention that in your application.
    • If I already have a faculty mentor and have an active research project do I need to get a new mentor or start a new project for the Summer Research Institute? Does it matter if I have already done research or been a participant in a research mentorship program?
      • No! If you have ongoing research, you can continue working on it as long as your faculty mentor agrees to put submit a proposal for it. Even if you have done research in the past, taking on McNair can help open the doors to working with a diverse set of faculty members and further strengthen your CV (Curriculum Vitae).
    • Can I study abroad and still participate in the program?
      • Yes, but you must remain committed to participate in our offerings/workshops, so be mindful of time differences/workload. You must also be able to participate in our Summer Research Institute and work with a faculty mentor from May to August. Out-of-state summer research programs are also encouraged and we can work with you to build a specialized curriculum so you may still take part in and benefit from our Summer Research Institute!
    • What are the time commitments and expectations for a McNair Scholar?
      • Throughout the academic year, we expect our scholars to attend an orientation session when freshly admitted and at least one workshop a month. We will also try to sprinkle in some social activities, but want to remain mindful of your time commitment to your existing course load.
      • During the summer, our program consists of weekly workshops along with the one-on-one schedule you set with your faculty mentor as your work on your research project. We also host a Closing Symposium at the end of our program where our scholars are expected to attend and present their research.
    • I'd like to go to graduate school and get my masters/I want to get an MD/law degree, but I am unsure if I want to pursue a Ph.D.. Is this the program for me?
      • Unfortunately, our program might not be the best fit for your needs. Given the strict guidelines set by our federal funding, our curriculum is centered around preparing our Scholars to become strong candidates when applying to Ph.D. programs so they may successfully enroll in and complete said program.
    • Do I have to go straight into a PhD program? Does the program require scholars to pursue a PhD immediately after obtaining their bachelor’s/master’s degree?
      • Students can apply to either Masters or Ph.D. programs, but the goal is to pursue a Ph.D. regardless of the path you take to get there. Although we understand life happens and going straight into graduate school right after graduating, the federal guidelines we abide by require our students to obtain their doctorate degree within 10 years at the latest.
    • Can I pursue a combined PhD/professional degree? What if I want to pursue another type of doctorate degree (law, medicine)?
      • Although our program is not geared toward students who are pursuing professional degrees, we can still support you if you are pursuing a Ph.D. alongside it!
    • Do I need to take the GRE?
      • Although it is no longer a requirement for some programs, we still encourage our students to take it as it can supplement their applications regardless. We can also provide fee waivers so you may pay a reduced rate to take it.