McNair Scholars

McNair Eligibility

Eligibility for McNair Application

The objective of the McNair Program is to prepare currently enrolled eligible UW undergraduate students for doctoral study in their chosen fields.

Eligibility Criteria

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 low-income student who is also a first-generation college student (for detailed descriptions, click on the links)

    OR

  • be a member of a group that is underrepresented in graduate education (African American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Hispanic/Latino, or Native Hawaiian/ Native Pacific Islander)

Additional eligibility requirements:

  • be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or in the process of obtaining permanent residency
  • be currently enrolled as an undergraduate in a degree program at the UW1
  • have completed 36 credits by the time of initial entry into the program
  • have at least one year remaining before graduation (i.e., if you are graduating within the year, you are not eligible for the program)
  • have a minimum cumulative GPA of: 2.8 (sophomores), 3.0 (juniors & seniors)2
  • have STRONG desire to attain a Ph.D.3

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

2Students with a lower GPA may reach out to program staff to discuss eligibility.

3Students whose career goals include a medical (MD) or other professional degree (JD, MBA, PharmD, etc.) are not eligible for the program. Please refer to the Additional Resources page.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

E-mail uwmcnair@uw.edu or call 206-543-6460.