Thank you for your interest in the St. Olaf TRIO McNair Scholars program! Please complete this application as thoroughly as possible in one sitting. You cannot save and restart this application. You may want to review the required items and gather the required documents, and then return to submit your application. APPLICATION IS DUE OCTOBER 23, 2025.

The St. Olaf TRIO McNair Scholars Program is a graduate school preparation program designed to assist low-income and first-generation college students at St. Olaf College with developing the skills and motivation necessary to successfully pursue graduate school and a doctoral education. Annually, 28 college students participate in St. Olaf TRIO McNair.

McNair is a TRIO program funded by the U.S. Department of Education, sponsored by St. Olaf College. McNair and St. Olaf College are committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, or veteran status.

Application Checklist

Use this checklist to help you organize your application materials. 

☐ Complete Sections A through H

☐ Upload a copy of parent/guardian's most recent tax form. Report on your family's taxable (not gross)

income. Refer to tax form (ex. 1040, 1040EZ, 1040A). Low-Income Definitions

☐ Attach Personal Statement essay (max 2-pages)

☐ Upload an unofficial copy of your transcript

☐ Upload a copy of your permanent resident card (if applicable)

☐ Complete the top portion of the Recommendation Form and provide to two recommenders. Your

recommenders can email the recommendation form and letter to melgar@stolaf.edu OR send through

campus mail to Melissa Melgar, TRIO McNair

    

Applicants may be invited to interview, which will take place during the week of November 10. Students who are accepted into TRIO McNair will be contacted as soon as all applications are read, interviews are conducted, and decisions are finalized (before November 26). If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Melgar, 507-786-3967 melgar@stolaf.edu or Dr. Magaly Ortiz Arend, 507-786-3003 ortiz16@stolaf.edu.
A. Applicant Information:
Last Name *
First Name *
Middle Name *
Date of Birth *
Place of Birth (City, State, Country):
Citizenship Status *
Copy of INS Documentation of U.S. Permanent Residency (if applicable)
Address *
City *
State *
ZIP Code *
Home Phone
Cell Phone
Email Address
Student I.D. Number
Gender
Preferred Pronouns
Race (based on federal definitions): Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.)
Race (based on federal definitions): White (White refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.)
Race (based on federal definitions): Asian (refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.)
Race (based on federal definitions): American Indian/Alaskan Native (refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment.)
Race (based on federal definitions): Black or African American (refers to a person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.)
Ethnicity: Hispanic/Latinx
B. Education:
Institution Start Date (Approximate)
Institution Entry Level
Projected Graduation Date
What is the area of your declared major?
Current Major/s
Concentration/s
Cumulative GPA
Desired Graduate Program (ex. MA in Social Work, Ph.D. in History, etc.)
When do you plan to begin graduate school?
Please list other college prep or support programs you have or are currently participating in: (TRIO UB, ETS, SSS, SSSD, CP, Emerge, Posse, etc)
List 1-3 St. Olaf professors whom you would be interested in conducting summer research with.
C. Family Background:
Growing Up I Lived Primarily with:
Parent/Guardian #1 if applicable (ex. mother, father, guardian, independent, etc):
Educational Attainment of Parent/Guardian #1
Parent/Guardian #2 if applicable (ex. mother, father, guardian, independent, etc):
Educational Attainment of Parent/Guardian #2
______________________________________________________
D. Financial Information:

Statement of Confidentiality: The information contained in this application is for the purpose of determining eligibility for TRIO McNair. Information received is treated confidentially.

The following questions will determine if you are an independent or dependent student.

  • Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
  •  Were you born before January 1, 2001?
  •  As of today, are you married?
  •  Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?       
  •  Are both of your parents deceased, or are you a ward/dependent of the court?        
  •  Do you have dependents who live with you and receive more than half of their support from you?

If you answered NO to every question, you are a DEPENDENT student and should answer the following questions regarding your parent/s' household, including yourself.

 If you answered YES to any question, you are an INDEPENDENT student and should answer the following questions in regard to YOUR household and YOUR tax information.

Are you considered a dependent or independent student?
Does your family receive assistance from any of the following sources: Public Assistance (MFIP, workfare, etc.), Social Security/SSI, Veterans' Benefits, Food Stamps, Unemployment Compensation, Federally Supported Housing?
How many people are in your household, including yourself?
Household TAXABLE Income Range
Parents' Most Recent IRS Tax Form Available (ex 1040, 1040EZ, 1040A) (please upload pdf)
______________________________________________________
E. Personal Statement Essay
Your personal statement MUST address the following: (maximum 2 pages, double spaced, 12 point font. Please upload pdf.)
  •  Your academic aspirations and career goals/Why this discipline is of great interest to you
  •  Experiences and traits that highlight your academic success and preparation to pursue research
  • What degree and graduate program interests you, why you want to pursue a Ph.D. or other terminal graduate degree, and when you plan to begin graduate school
  • How McNair can help you achieve these goals
  • (OPTIONAL) extenuating circumstances, if any, that have affected your GPA
Upload a pdf of your Personal Statement Essay. *
______________________________________________________
F. Transcript
Upload a pdf of your Unofficial Transcript. *
______________________________________________________
G. Recommendations

Two recommendation letters should be requested (at least 2 weeks in advance) from faculty/staff in your major field(s) of study or that can assess your ability for research and/or your motivation and ability to succeed in graduate school.

 Students should complete the top portion of the Recommendation Form and provide the form to your recommender to complete the remaining portion. Faculty can email the recommendation form and letters directly to Melissa Melgar at melgar@stolaf.edu or send through campus mail to TRIO McNair.
Name and email address of Recommender 1: *
Name and email address of Recommender 2: *
______________________________________________________
H. Applicant Signature

My signature below indicates that the St. Olaf TRIO McNair Scholars Program:

  • May share my transcripts, academic record, and information contained in my application with faculty, staff, graduate school personnel, and fellowship committees.
  • Has my permission to access information such as transcripts, enrollment information, graduation information, etc. while I am in the program and for follow-up and tracking purposes after my participation in the program.
  • Has my permission to use photographs and/or video images of myself for publication or advertising.
  • To the best of my knowledge, the information on this application is true, complete, and accurate.
To sign the application, enter your cell number and the letter/number combination below. Then click "send code" to receive a signature password to your phone. After you confirm your signature code and signature, be sure to click "Submit Application." *
Signature Type: SMS    Start Over
After validation, the cell phone number will become part of the electronic signature.
Cell Phone Number: