34 C.F.R. Subpart A—General
Title 34 - Education
The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program—referred to in these regulations as the McNair program—awards grants to institutions of higher education for projects designed to provide disadvantaged college students with effective preparation for doctoral study. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-15) Institutions of higher education and combinations of those institutions are eligible for grants to carry out McNair projects. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11, 1070a-15, 1088, and 1141(a) and 1144a) A student is eligible to participate in a McNair project if the student meets all the following requirements: (a)(1) Is a citizen or national of the United States; or (2) Is a permanent resident of the United States; or (3) Is in the United States for other than a temporary purpose and provides evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization Service of his or her intent to become a permanent resident; or (4) Is a permanent resident of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; or (5) Is a resident of one of the Freely Associated States. (b) Is currently enrolled in a degree program at an institution of higher education that participates in the student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the HEA. (c) Is— (1) A low-income individual who is a first-generation college student; (2) A member of a group that is underrepresented in graduate education; or (3) A member of a group that is not listed in §647.7 if the group is underrepresented in certain academic disciplines as documented by standard statistical references or other national survey data submitted to and accepted by the Secretary on a case-by-case basis. (d) Has not enrolled in doctoral level study at an institution of higher education. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-15) A McNair project may provide the following services and activities: (a) Opportunities for research or other scholarly activities at the grantee institution or at graduate centers that are designed to provide participants with effective preparation for doctoral study. (b) Summer internships. (c) Seminars and other educational activities designed to prepare participants for doctoral study. (d) Tutoring. (e) Academic counseling. (f) Assistance to participants in securing admission to and financial assistance for enrollment in graduate programs. (g) Mentoring programs involving faculty members or students at institutions of higher education, or any combination of faculty members and students. (h) Exposure to cultural events and academic programs not usually available to project participants. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–15) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a project period under the McNair program is four years. (b) The Secretary approves a project period of five years for applications that score in the highest ten percent of all applications approved for new grants under the criteria in §647.21. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11) The following regulations apply to the McNair program: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) as follows: (1) 34 CFR part 74 (Administration of Grants to Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Nonprofit Organizations). (2) 34 CFR part 75 (Direct Grant Programs). (3) 34 CFR part 77 (Definitions that Apply to Department Regulations). (4) 34 CFR part 79 (Intergovernmental Review of Department of Education Programs and Activities). (5) 34 CFR part 82 (New Restrictions on Lobbying). (6) 34 CFR part 85 ((Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)). (7) 34 CFR part 86 (Drug-Free Schools and Campuses). (b) The regulations in this part 647. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 and 1070a–15) (a) Definitions in EDGAR. The following terms used in this part are defined in 34 CFR 77.1:
Applicant Application Budget Budget Period EDGAR Equipment Facilities Fiscal Year Grant Grantee Project Project Period Public Secretary Supplies (b) Other definitions. The following definitions also apply to this part: First-generation college student means— (1) A student neither of whose natural or adoptive parents received a baccalaureate degree; or (2) A student who, prior to the age of 18, regularly resided with and received support from only one parent, and whose supporting parent did not receive a baccalaureate degree. (3) An individual who, prior to the age of 18, did not regularly reside with or receive support from a natural or an adoptive parent. Graduate center means an educational institution as defined in sections 481, 1201(a), and 1204 of the HEA; and that— (1) Provides instruction in one or more programs leading to a doctoral degree; (2) Maintains specialized library collections; (3) Employs scholars engaged in research that relates to the subject areas of the center; and (4) Provides outreach and consultative services on a national, regional or local basis. Graduate education means studies beyond the bachelor's degree leading to a postbaccalaureate degree. HEA means the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. Groups underrepresented in graduate education. The following ethnic and racial groups are currently underrepresented in graduate education: Black (non-Hispanic), Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaskan Native. Institution of higher education means an educational institution as defined in sections 481, 1201(a) and 1204 of the HEA. Low-income individual means an individual whose family's taxable income did not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level in the calendar year preceding the year in which the individual participates in the project. Poverty level income is determined by using criteria of poverty established by the Bureau of the Census of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Summer internship means an educational experience in which participants, under the guidance and direction of experienced faculty researchers, are provided an opportunity to engage in research or other scholarly activities. Target population means the universe from which McNair participants will be selected. The universe may be expressed in terms of geography, type of institution, academic discipline, type of disadvantage, type of underrepresentation, or any other qualifying descriptor that would enable an applicant to more precisely identify the kinds of eligible project participants they wish to serve. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11, 1070a–15, and 1141)
Title 34: Education
PART 647—RONALD E. MCNAIR POSTBACCALAUREATE ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM
Subpart A—General
§ 647.1 What is the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program?
§ 647.2 Who is eligible for a grant?
§ 647.3 Who is eligible to participate in a McNair project?
§ 647.4 What activities and services may a project provide?
§ 647.5 How long is a project period?
§ 647.6 What regulations apply?
§ 647.7 What definitions apply?
