The application deadline for the College of Charleston’s new McNair Scholars program has been extended to March 29, 2010. Benefits of the program include a $2,700 one-year stipend for participation, research experience, the establishment of a mentor relationship with faculty, personalized guidance and academic support, and help with securing funding for graduate education.

The College is one of three South Carolina colleges or universities to host the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. The goal of the McNair Scholars Program is to increase the number of students from underrepresented segments of society who will ultimately earn a Ph.D. degree, thereby adding to the diversity of higher education faculty. The four-year renewable TRIO grant from the U.S. Department of Education provides $220,000 in federal funds each year to help 25 low-income, first-generation college students, and/or undergraduates who are from a population group that is underrepresented in graduate education,  prepare for and succeed in doctoral programs.

The College of Charleston McNair Scholars Program will provide special opportunities to academically promising undergraduate students who have an interest in attending graduate school and completing their PhD. Each year, 25 undergraduate students will receive special preparation for doctoral programs. Preparation will include a summer research experience, service learning, coursework, a workshop series and advising to prepare these students for successful completion of graduate degrees.

To be considered for acceptance into the McNair Scholars Program, students must be an undergraduate at a four year South Carolina college/university who has earned at least 60 credit hours, have a 3.0 GPA or higher, and plan to pursue a Ph.D. They must meet two of the three following eligibility requirements: low-income (as defined by the U.S. Department of Education), first-generation college students or be from a population group that is underrepresented in graduate education (this includes racial minorities and women). If a student has a documented physical disability than they are exempt from meeting the above eligibility requirements.

The College has hosted TRIO’s Upward Bound program for more than 30 years.

For more information, contact program coordinator Carrie Ben-Yisrael or Marta Rivell at 843-953-6755 or McNair@cofc.edu or click here.The McNair offices are located on the fourth floor of the Stern Student Center.