Application

ELIGIBILITY

New Jersey Institute of Technology undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and meet the criteria below are encouraged to apply to the McNair Scholars Program.

Applicants must meet either (or both) of the following federal eligibility criteria:

• A first-generation* college student who meets federal income guidelines** based on taxable income; OR
• A member of a group that is underrepresented in graduate education*** as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations

In addition to the above, applicants must:

• Have a strong interest in graduate education and scholarly research
• Have completed the sophomore year (earned at least 60 credits) prior to the summer semester
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher
• Plan to continue immediately to graduate school and persist to earn a PhD

The McNair Scholars Program is not open to students who only plan to earn a Master's or professional degree (e.g. MD, JD, DVM, PharmD, PsyD, DNP, etc.)

*First-Generation College Student

A first-generation college student means:

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.

**Low-Income Individual

A low-income individual refers to an individual whose family's taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level amount. Click here for current Federal TRIO Program low-income levels.

***Groups Underrepresented in Graduate Education

The following ethnic and racial groups are considered underrepresented in graduate education: Black (non-Hispanic), Hispanic, American Indian, Alaskan Native (as defined in section 7306 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA)), Native Hawaiians (as defined in section 7207 of the ESEA), and Native American Pacific Islanders (as defined in section 320 of the HEA).

APPLICATION MATERIALS

The application is open

McNair Scholars Program Application

McNair Financial Need Form

A Complete Application Consists Of:

• Completed application form with the following documents
• uploaded into the application:
  • Personal statement
  • Professional resume
  • Documentation of eligibility, as applicable:
    • Copy of your permanent resident card or other documentation of permanent resident status
    • Copy of your most recent FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR)
• Two recommendations (submitted directly by your references)

Recommendation Guidelines

Each applicant must have TWO recommendations. 

• ONE letters should come from faculty members (professors, associate professors, assistant professors, lecturers) who can best assess your academic work, research potential, and your motivation to attend graduate school.
• The second letter can come from a personal mentor, adviser, employer, or another supporter.
• If you are a first-year transfer student, you may obtain recommendations from faculty members at your previous institution.