34 C.F.R. PART 647—RONALD E. MCNAIR POSTBACCALAUREATE ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM
Title 34 - Education
Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 1070a-15, unless otherwise noted.
Source: 59 FR 43989, Aug. 25, 1994, unless otherwise noted.
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) An applicant must submit as part of its application, assurances that— (a) Each participant enrolled in the project will be enrolled in a degree program at an institution of higher education that participates in one or more of the student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the HEA; (b) Each participant given a summer research internship will have completed his or her sophomore year of study; and (c)(1) At least two thirds of the students to be served will be low-income individuals who are first-generation college students; and (2) The remaining students to be served will be members of groups underrepresented in graduate education. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–15) (a) The Secretary evaluates an application for a new grant as follows: (1)(i) The Secretary evaluates an application on the basis of the selection criteria in §647.21. (ii) The maximum score for all the criteria in §647.21 is 100 points. The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses with the criterion. (2)(i) For an application from an applicant who has carried out a McNair project in the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year for which the applicant is applying, the Secretary evaluates the applicant's prior experience on the basis of the criteria in §647.22. (ii) The maximum score for all the criteria in §647.22 is fifteen (15) points. The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses with the criterion. (iii) If an applicant described in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section applies for more than one new grant in the same fiscal year, the Secretary applies the criteria in §647.22 to a project that seeks to continue support for an existing McNair project on that campus. (b) The Secretary makes new grants in rank order on the basis of the total scores received by applications under paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this section. (c)(1) If the total scores of two or more applications are the same and there are insufficient funds for these applications after the approval of higher-ranked applications, the Secretary uses the remaining funds to achieve an equitable geographic distribution of all new projects. (2) In making an equitable geographic distribution of new projects, the Secretary considers only the locations of new projects. (d) The Secretary may decline to make a grant to an applicant that carried out a Federal TRIO Program project that involved the fraudulent use of funds. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 and 1070a–15) The Secretary uses the following criteria to evaluate an application for a new grant: (a) Need (16 Points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the applicant can clearly and definitively demonstrate the need for a McNair project to serve the target population. In particular, the Secretary looks for information that clearly defines the target population; describes the academic, financial and other problems that prevent potentially eligible project participants in the target population from completing baccalaureate programs and continuing to postbaccalaureate programs; and demonstrates that the project's target population is underrepresented in graduate education, doctorate degrees conferred and careers where a doctorate is a prerequisite. (b) Objectives (9 points). The Secretary evaluates the quality of the applicant's proposed project objectives on the basis of the extent to which they— (1) Include both process and outcome objectives relating to the purpose of the McNair program stated in §647.1; (2) Address the needs of the target population; and (3) Are measurable, ambitious, and attainable over the life of the project. (c) Plan of Operation (44 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the applicant's plans of operation, including— (1) (4 points) The plan for identifying, recruiting and selecting participants to be served by the project, including students enrolled in the Student Support Services program; (2) (4 points) The plan for assessing individual participant needs and for monitoring the academic growth of participants during the period in which the student is a McNair participant; (3) (5 points) The plan for providing high quality research and scholarly activities in which participants will be involved; (4) (5 points) The plan for involving faculty members in the design of research activities in which students will be involved; (5) (5 points) The plan for providing internships, seminars, and other educational activities designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral study; (6) (5 points) The plan for providing individual or group services designed to enhance a student's successful entry into postbaccalaureate education; (7) (3 points) The plan to inform the institutional community of the goals and objectives of the project; (8) (8 points) The plan to ensure proper and efficient administration of the project, including, but not limited to matters such as financial management, student records management, personnel management, the organizational structure, and the plan for coordinating the McNair project with other programs for disadvantaged students; and (9) (5 points) The follow-up plan that will be used to track the academic and career accomplishments of participants after they are no longer participating in the McNair project. (d) Quality of key personnel (9 points). The Secretary evaluates the quality of key personnel the applicant plans to use on the project on the basis of the following: (1)(i) The job qualifications of the project director. (ii) The job qualifications of each of the project's other key personnel. (iii) The quality of the project's plan for employing highly qualified persons, including the procedures to be used to employ members of groups underrepresented in higher education, including Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (including Native Hawaiians). (2) In evaluating the qualifications of a person, the Secretary considers his or her experience and training in fields related to the objectives of the project. (e) Adequacy of the resources and budget (15 points). The Secretary evaluates the extent to which— (1) The applicant's proposed allocation of resources in the budget is clearly related to the objectives of the project; (2) Project costs and resources, including facilities, equipment, and supplies, are reasonable in relation to the objectives and scope of the project; and (3) The applicant's proposed commitment of institutional resources to the McNair participants, as for example, the commitment of time from institutional research faculty and the waiver of tuition and fees for McNair participants engaged in summer research projects. (f) Evaluation plan (7 points). The Secretary evaluates the quality of the evaluation plan for the project on the basis of the extent to which the applicant's methods of evaluation— (1) Are appropriate to the project's objectives; (2) Provide for the applicant to determine, in specific and measurable ways, the success of the project in— (i) Making progress toward achieving its objectives (a formative evaluation); and (ii) Achieving its objectives at the end of the project period (a summative evaluation); and (3) Provide for a description of other project outcomes, including the use of quantifiable measures, if appropriate. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–15) (a) The Secretary reviews information relating to an applicant's performance as a grantee under its expiring McNair project. In addition to the application under review, this information may be derived from performance reports, audit reports, site visit reports, and project evaluation reports received by the Secretary during the project period about to be completed. (b) The Secretary evaluates the applicant's performance as a grantee on the basis of the following criteria: (1) (3 points) Whether the applicant consistently served the number and types of participants the project was funded to serve. (2) (4 points) Whether the applicant was successful in providing the participants with research and scholarly activities and whether those activities had an impact on project participants. (3) (8 points) The extent to which the applicant met or exceeded its funded objectives with regard to project participants as demonstrated by the number of participants who— (i) Attained a baccalaureate degree; (ii) Enrolled in a postbaccalaureate program; and (iii) Attained a doctoral level degree. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 and 1070a–15) (a) The Secretary sets the amount of a grant on the basis of— (1) 34 CFR 75.232 and 75.233 for new grants; and (2) 34 CFR 75.253 for the second and subsequent years of a project period. (b) If the circumstances described in section 402A(b)(3) of the HEA exist, the Secretary uses the available funds to set the amount of the grant beginning in fiscal year 1995 at the lesser of— (1) $190,000; or (2) The amount requested by the applicant. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11) Allowable project costs, not specifically covered by 34 CFR part 74, may include the following costs reasonably related to carrying out a McNair project: (a) Activities of an academic or scholarly nature, such as trips to institutions of higher education offering doctoral programs, and special lectures, symposia, and professional conferences, which have as their purpose the encouragement and preparation of project participants for doctoral studies. (b) Stipends of up to $2,400 per year for students engaged in research internships, provided that the student has completed the sophomore year of study at an eligible institution before the internship begins. (c) Necessary tuition, room and board, and transportation for students engaged in research internships during the summer. (d) Purchase of computer hardware, computer software, or other equipment for student development, project administration, and recordkeeping, if the applicant demonstrates to the Secretary's satisfaction that the equipment is required to meet the objectives of the project more economically or efficiently. Costs that may not be charged against a grant under this program include the following: (a) Payment of tuition, stipends, test preparation and fees or any other form of student financial support to staff or participants not expressly allowed under §647.30. (b) Construction, renovation, and remodeling of any facilities. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–5) (a) Eligibility of participants. (1) A grantee shall determine the eligibility of each student before the student is selected to participate. A grantee does not have to redetermine a student's eligibility once the student has been determined eligible in accordance with the provisions of §647.3; and (2) A grantee shall determine the status of a low-income individual on the basis of the documentation described in section 402A(e) of the HEA. (b) Recordkeeping. For each student, a grantee shall maintain a record of— (1) The basis for the grantee's determination that the student is eligible to participate in the project under §647.3; (2) The individual needs assessment; (3) The services provided to the participant; and (4) The specific educational progress made by the student during and after participation in the project. (c) Other reporting requirements. A grantee shall submit to the Secretary reports and other information as requested in order to demonstrate program effectiveness. (d) Project director. A grantee shall designate a project director who has— (1) Authority to conduct the project effectively; and (2) Appropriate professional qualifications, experience and administrative skills to effectively fulfill the objectives of the project. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–15)
Title 34: Education
PART 647—RONALD E. MCNAIR POSTBACCALAUREATE ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM
Section Contents
§ 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?
§ 647.10 What assurances must an applicant submit?
§ 647.20 How does the Secretary decide which new grants to make?
§ 647.21 What selection criteria does the Secretary use?
§ 647.22 How does the Secretary evaluate prior experience?
§ 647.23 How does the Secretary set the amount of a grant?
§ 647.30 What are allowable costs?
§ 647.31 What are unallowable costs?
§ 647.32 What other requirements must a grantee meet?
Subpart A—General
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§ 647.1 What is the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program?
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§ 647.2 Who is eligible for a grant?
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§ 647.3 Who is eligible to participate in a McNair project?
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§ 647.4 What activities and services may a project provide?
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§ 647.5 How long is a project period?
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§ 647.6 What regulations apply?
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§ 647.7 What definitions apply?
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Subpart B—Assurances
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§ 647.10 What assurances must an applicant submit?
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Subpart C—How Does the Secretary Make a Grant?
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§ 647.20 How does the Secretary decide which new grants to make?
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§ 647.21 What selection criteria does the Secretary use?
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§ 647.22 How does the Secretary evaluate prior experience?
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§ 647.23 How does the Secretary set the amount of a grant?
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Subpart D—What Conditions Must Be Met by a Grantee?
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§ 647.30 What are allowable costs?
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§ 647.31 What are unallowable costs?
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§ 647.32 What other requirements must a grantee meet?
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