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Ronald E. McNair Program

Eligibility Requirements

  1. Applicants must be either low-income individuals who are first-generation college students, and/or members of a group traditionally underrepresented in doctorate education – African-American, Hispanic and American Indian/Alaskan Native. (The Federal Guidelines define the term "first generation college student" as (A) an individual both of whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree; or (B) in the case of any individual who regularly resided with and received support from only one parent, an individual whose only such parent did not complete a baccalaureate degree.)
  2. Applicants must have completed 60 academic units. (For the purpose of determining the number of units you have completed, you may include the number of units you are currently enrolled in this semester.)
  3. Applicants must be enrolled in a formal degree program at California State University, Fresno on a full-time basis.
  4. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75.
  5. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
  6. Applicants must be considering graduate study. (Students interested in studying law, dentistry, medicine or veterinary careers are not eligible for this program.)
  7. For full consideration, applicants must submit the completed Ronald E. McNair application packet with all the necessary supporting documents.

Selection will be made on a competitive basis from those applicants who best meet the purposes of the program as defined by the U.S. Department of Education. Specifically, at least two-thirds of the individuals participating in the McNair Program must be low-income individuals who are first-generation college students. Applicants who best meet the federally-mandated guidelines will then be selected on the basis of having the greatest potential for pursuing doctoral studies and for whom the program will have the greatest impact. Once selected, students must continue to make progress toward their degree program and toward completing McNair goals and regulations.