Process to Request a McNair Application Fee Waivers

Please submit a request to [email protected] (subject: McNair Application Fee Waiver). Your email request should have an attached letter or e-mail from you McNair Scholars Program Director which verifyies that you completed the McNair program at your university. Do not apply to the Graduate School until you recieve a reply; which will provide detailed instructions on applying. The Graduate School will not reimburse an applicant who pays for the application themself, prior to approval.


Process to Apply for a McNair Tuition Waiver

Tuition Waiver Details 

The following qualified candidates are eligible for up to 12 credits/academic term of tuition waivers provided that the student is in good standing. Fees are the responsibility of the student and/or admitting department. The tuition waiver should be used only for credits that apply towards the degree or certificate program.

  • Doctoral students: MSU Graduate School will provide waivers for their first four semesters
  • Master’s students: MSU Graduate School will provide waivers for their first two semesters. 
  • Certificate students: MSU Graduate School will provide a waiver for their first semester. 

Eligibility - The nominee must: 

  • be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident;
  • have completed any McNair Scholars Program;
  • be newly admitted to a graduate program at MSU;
  • not have been awarded a full-tuition waiver from MSU, or outside agencies.

Nominations can come at any time from the student, a graduate coordinator, or faculty member and should include:

  • the name of the student;
  • a letter or email from the student’s McNair program stating that they are an alumnus of the McNair program
  • which graduate program the student is newly enrolled in

Process to apply for McNair tuition waivers:

Submit the nomination in a single email attachment (PDF) to [email protected] (subject: McNair Tuition Waiver Request). The Graduate School will review your completed packet for consideration and notify you via email regarding whether or not you have been selected as a McNair Tuition Waiver recipient.