San Jose State University-McN-Application Form

The McNair Scholars TRIO Program at San Jos State University (SJSU) is an exciting effort designed to encourage low-income, first-generation, and/or underrepresented undergraduate college students to pursue graduate education at the doctoral level. All participants must meet specific eligibility criteria as determined by the U.S. Department of Education.

To be selected, eligibility must be established. For more information, please visit: https://www.sjsu.edu/mcnair/apply.php.

In order to be considered for admission to the program, your application must be submitted.

PLEASE NOTE: Once you begin the online application, you must be ready to attach the items below. Any incomplete application cannot be saved on this form.

PLEASE FOLLOW STEPS BELOW:

1) FOR ONLINE APPLICATION: Please provide all applicable information requested in this form. This information is vital for the purpose of determining your eligibility for the McNair Scholars Program according to federal guidelines.

2) SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Please include the following documentation with your online application:

A) Transcript(s): All official transcripts from your previous institutions. By submitting this form, you authorize the McNair Scholars Program to obtain your official SJSU transcripts for the program's evaluation purposes. Official transcript(s) from Community College or other universities attended are needed, if applicable. Unofficial transcripts can be submitted during the initial process of filling out the form.

B) Low-Income Verification: Your low-income status may be verified by your Financial Aid Award Notice on your MySJSU account, your Student Aid Report (SAR) on studentaid.gov, and by being Pell Grant-eligible.

C) Personal Statement: The personal statement should be no more than 2 pages, typed, double-spaced. Tell us about your academic and career objectives, your research and career interests, and why you feel obtaining a doctorate is essential in pursuing those interests. You should also address how the McNair Scholars Program will help to reach your academic goals.

D) Research Experience Statement: Describe any previous research experience or honors you have received.

E) Letters of Recommendation: 2 letters of recommendation are required---at least 1 should be from any faculty/professor. The second letter may be from an advisor, counselor, employer, or another individual who can attest to your academic or work potential, or your personal attributes. Letters of recommendation can be submitted after the application deadline.

F) Attach a photo of yourself (for staff purposes only).

G) Optional: Resume or CV

3) AFTER COMPLETING THE ONLINE APPLICATION: You will receive an email from Taylor-Dawn Francis, the Program Coordinator (taylor-dawn.francis@sjsu.edu), verifying your completion of the application.

For more information, please contact:

McNair Program Office: 408-924-2540

Maria E. Cruz, PhD
Director
maria.cruz@sjsu.edu

Taylor-Dawn Francis
Program Coordinator
taylor-dawn.francis@sjsu.edu

Statement of Confidentiality: The information requested in this application is for the purpose of determining the applicant's eligibility for the McNair Scholars Program. Information received is treated confidentially.

Applicant Information

Name*

First NameMiddle NameLast Name

Gender

MaleFemaleNon-Binary

Preferred Pronoun(s)

Date of Birth*

mm-dd-yyyy

Local Mailing Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Permanent Mailing Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

SJSU Email*

example@example.com

Personal Email*

example@example.com

Home Phone

(999)999-9999

Cell Phone

(999)999-9999

Student ID #*

Citizenship:*

CitizenPermanent Resident

Ethnic Heritage:*

Please specify from the previous question if applicable; otherwise, type N/A

Please attach a photo of yourself (For staff purposes only)

How did you hear about the McNair Scholars Program?

Applicant School Information

Major?*

Current SJSU GPA:*

Transfers Only: If you do not have an SJSU GPA, enter your Transfer GPA. If you are not a Transfer Student, type N/A:

Current Major GPA*

First College Entry Date (Community College or University)*

mm-dd-yyyy

Attach Community College transcripts or send via PDF to mcnair-program@sjsu.edu:

Anticipated number of units completed after Spring 2026:

Projected graduation date:*

mm-dd-yyyy

What is your projected date of entrance into graduate school?

mm-dd-yyyy

In what field do you plan to obtain a doctoral degree?

Family Information

Are you a First-Generation student? *This means that your parents DID NOT receive a BA or higher from a 4-year college. If your sibling(s) received a BA or higher, you are still considered a First-Generation student.*

YesNo

If your parents received a BA, MA, or PhD, which country was it earned in? If a 4-year college degree was not earned, type N/A.

Financial Information

Do you have a limited income?*

YesNo

Do you receive any of the following?*

Research Interest

Please state your research interest or question that will be the basis of your McNair Project:*

Provide the names of two San José State Faculty Members who you feel would be ideal mentors for the research project provided above. ("I have already discussed this project with this professor.")*

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation from faculty members/professors (any institution) are
required. See Recommendation Format:
https://www.sjsu.edu/mcnair/docs/McNair%20Scholars%20Program%20Recommendation%20Form.pdf

Your recommendations should address how your academic preparation and interests make you well suited for the program. If you are unable to obtain both letters from faculty you may submit one letter from a graduate school instructor or someone who can comment on your academic performance and research potential. Keep in mind that this is a very important part of the application.

1) Recommender's Name, Telephone & Email

2) Recommender's Name, Telephone & Email

Two letters of recommendation from faculty members/professors (any institution) are required. These can be turned in after the initial application has been submitted.

https://www.sjsu.edu/mcnair/docs/2020%20Letter%20of%20Recomendation%20Form%20-%20McNair%20Scholars%20Application%20.pdf

Personal Statement

This statement should be 2 pages and focus on your academic and career objectives. The committee would like to know about your research and career interests and why you feel that attending graduate school and possibly attaining a PhD is essential in pursuing those interests. You should also address how the McNair Scholars Program will help to reach your academic goals.

Please attach a typed copy of your personal statement*

Optional CV or Resume

Signatures

With my signature, I certify that all information provided above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

Signature

Research/Additional Experience

Please provide any supplemental information you wish to have considered:

Describe your research experience, if any, including dates and the name of your advisor/primary investigator. If none, type N/A:*

List any academic honors you have received at the college level. If none, type N/A:*

With my signature, I certify that all information provided above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, as well.

Signature

For financial aid purposes, are you considered dependent or independent? If unsure, please visit: https://www.sjsu.edu/faso/process/dependent-vsindependent.php*

If dependent: What is the size of your parent's household, including yourself?(please answer numerically) If not dependent, type N/A*

If dependent: Did your parent(s) file a federal income tax return for the previous year?*

YesNoNot dependent

3. From the previous question: If answered yes, what was their taxable income for the previous year? (Line 43 on the IRS form 1040, line 27 on the IRS form 1040A,line 6 on IRS form 1040 EZ). Type "0" if taxes were not filed/not dependent*

If independent: What is the size of your household, including yourself, spouse, and/or other dependents? (please answer numerically) If not independent, type N/A*

If independent: Did you file a federal income return for the previous year?*

YesNoNot independent

3. From the previous question: If answered yes, what was your taxable income for the previous year? (Line 43 on the IRS form 1040, line 27 on the IRS form 1040A,line 6 on IRS form 1040 EZ). Type "0" if taxes were not filed/not independent*

Are you Federal Pell Grant-eligible (FAFSA)?

YesNo

https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell

Please attach your (if independent) or parents (if dependent) most recent IRS Tax Form: 1040A, 1040 EZ or 1040. For examples, please visit: https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions*

Please attach a copy of your most recent FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR). For instructions on how to retrieve your FAFSA SAR, please visit: https://studentaid.gov/help/view-sar*

Please attach a copy of your Financial Aid Award Notice for the 2022-2023 academic year from your My SJSU. For instructions on how to obtain your Financial Aid Award Notice through My SJSU, please visit: https://www.sjsu.edu/faso/Applying/Seven_Steps_To_Financial_Aid/five/*

Educational Attainment of Mother: (highest grade completed)*

Educational Attainment of Mother: College Degree earned, if any*

BachelorsMastersDoctorateNo 4-year college degree

If your Mother received a BA, MA, or PhD which country was it earned in? If a 4-year college degree was not earned, type N/A*

Educational Attainment of Father: (highest grade completed)*

Educational Attainment of Father: College degree earned, if any*

BachelorMastersDoctorateNo 4-year college degree

If your Father received a BA, MA, or PhD which country was it earned in? If a 4-year college degree was not earned, type N/A*

Before the age of 18, with whom did you regularly reside and receive support from?*

Mother OnlyFather OnlyBothOther

Mark only one oval.

Yes, I understand

Contact Information

Please provide the names and permanent addresses of three people who will know how to reach you in the future (e.g. grandparents or other relatives).

1. Name of relative/Permanent Contact, address (include city, state, & zip code),telephone, & email or cell phone

2. Name of relative/Permanent Contact, address (include city, state, & zip code),telephone, & email or cell phone

3. Name of relative/Permanent Contact, address (include city, state, & zip code),telephone, & email or cell phone

Social Security Number (must include - your SSN will be used to track your progress for a minimum of 10 years post-graduation for the Federal Department of Education Annual Performance Reports.)*

999-99-9999

2025 SJSU McNair Scholars Program Application