Dr. Ronald E. McNair

1. Dr. Ronald E. McNair

2. The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement (McNair) Program Authorized by Congress in 1987 to commemorate the tragic death of the astronaut, Ronald E. McNair, who lost his life in the challenger shuttle tragedy in 1985. Specifically designed to award grants to institutions of higher education to provide disadvantaged college students with effective preparation for doctoral study, the first competition for McNair program funds was held in 1989; at that time, the first 20 projects were funded. Over the past 20 years, the McNair program has grown to 200 projects serving approximately 4,200 students nationwide.

3. The Federal TRIO Programs Educational opportunity outreach and support programs designed to motivate and encourage students from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO consists of nine outreach and support programs targeted to serve and assist low-income, first generation college students and disabled students through the academic pipeline from middle school through postbaccalaureate programs of study.

4. Highlights of TRIO LegislationTitle IV Higher Education ActSection 402 – General Provisions • Combination of Eligible Entities • 5 year Grants • Minimum Grant Levels • Rank-Order Funding • 3 Field Readers Per Application

5. Highlights of TRIO LegislationTitle IV Higher Education ActSection 402 – General Provisions • Multiple Applications – Different Population or Campuses • Coordination With Other Programs for Disadvantaged Students • 10 Technical Assistance Workshops • Low-Income Documentation

6. Performance Indicators for the McNair Program McNair participants will: • Complete undergraduate programs at rates higher than comparable non-participants; • Enroll in programs of study at the graduate level at higher rates than comparable non-participants; and • Earn doctorate degrees in various disciplines, including the fields of mathematics and science, at rates higher than comparable non-participants

7. Program Purpose (§647.1) Emphasis On: • Preparation for Doctoral Level Studies • Research Opportunities/Scholarly Activities • Entrance Into Postbaccalaureate Studies

8. Applicant Eligibility (§647.2) • Institutions of Higher Education • Combinations of Institutions of Higher Education

9. Participant Eligibility (§647.3) • Citizenship status • Enrolled in a degree program at an IHE • At least 2/3 of the Students must be both low-income AND first generation college students; the remaining 1/3 may be from a group that is underrepresented in graduate education • Not enrolled in doctoral level study at an IHE

10. Current Funding Fiscal Year 2009 • Funding Allocation for McNair: $47,593,967 • Number of Awards: 200 • Number of Participants: 5,439 • Average Number of Participants: 27 • Average Cost per Participant : $8,750

11. Services Provided (§647.4) REQUIRED SERVICES (HEOA amendments) • research opportunities /scholarly activities • summer internships • tutoring • academic counseling; and • activities to assist participants with securing admission to and financial assistance for enrollment in a graduate program PERMISSABLE SERVICES • educational or counseling services to improve the financial literacy and economic literacy of students • mentoring programs • exposure to cultural events and programs

12. McNair Definitions (§647.7) • First-generation college student • Graduate center • Graduate education • HEA • Group underrepresented • Institution of higher education • Low-income individual • Summer internship • Target Population

13. Assurances (§647.10) • All participants must be enrolled in a degree program • Participants in research will have completed his of her sophomore year of study • Not less than 2/3 of participants must be both low-income AND first-generation college students (Foreign degrees count!) • 1/3 from underrepresented groups

14. How a Grant is Made (§647.20) • Selection Criteria (100 Points) • Prior Experience (15 Points) • Rank Order Selection

15. Selection Criteria (§647.21) 16 Points 9 Points 44 Points 9 Points 15 Points 7 Points 100 Points • Need……………………………….. • Objectives………………………….. • Plan of Operation…………………. • Quality of Personnel……………… • Adequacy of Resources and Budget………………………………… • Evaluation Plan…………………… Total

16. Allowable Costs (§647.30) • Activities of an academic or scholarly nature • $2,800 stipends for eligible students engaged in research • Tuition, room and board, transportation for summer research • Computer hardware, software, and other equipment (if justified)

17. Unallowable Costs (§647.31) • Payment of tuition,stipends,test preparation and fees, or any financial support to staff or students • Construction, renovation, or remodeling

18. Other Requirements (647.32) • Determine and Document Student Eligibility • Recordkeeping *student eligibility *needs assessment *services *educational progress (during and after) • Reporting Requirements *Annual Performance Report (APR) • Project Director’s Authority *Must be sufficient to effectively administer all aspects of project *Appropriate professional qualifications, experience and administrative skills

19. McNair Profile Sheet • Part III A -- McNair Profile Sheet • All applicants must complete this form • Provides basic applicant information • Includes McNair standardized objectives • Profile Sheet may not be altered or revised

20. GOOD LUCK!!