MARC Benefits

MARC-U*STAR supports student academic and research activities.  Students receive financial benefits, as well as professional experience and training that will assist them in entering and succeeding in graduate school.

Research: 

	Obtain "hands-on" research experience in Research laboratories
	Work with a UTSA or UTHSCSA faculty mentor
	Students are expected to work 15 or more hours per week in the laboratory during the semester and full-time (40 hours) during the summer
	Students are not allowed to hold off-campus jobs while participating in MARC, in order to maximize their research exposure.

Financial (NOTE:  MARC will likely cause reorganization of your financial aid.  See Below):

	$913.00/month stipend
	Tuition benefits for Fall and Spring tuition ($2080.50 per semester)
	Travel and conference expenses for 1 conference per year
	Eligibility to apply for MARC predoctoral fellowship during graduate school

Conference Attendance:

All MARC participants are allotted funds attend one scientific conference, annually.  Paid is airfare, hotel (sharing a room), registration fees, per diem (generally a flat $35.00-$48.00/day for food when it is not provided) and other travel related to attending the conference.  All other travel/entertainment is the responsibility of the student.   

Professional Development:

Undergraduate:

	RISE/MARC Colloquium, Seminar, and Lunch with the Speaker (direct professional training and networking sessions)
	Research Careers course
	Off-campus Summer Research Internship
	GRE Preparation
	Conference Attendance
	Thesis Creation and Final Oral Presentation
	Course Enrichment

*Please note:  Students at all levels should expect to spend sufficient time in their laboratory to complete their research projects.  There will be times when undergraduates will have to invest longer hours to complete their projects.

Financial Aid Issues:

The UTSA MARC program and the Financial Aid office have not found a way to legally exclude all or part of the tuition and stipend awarded to MARC students from the Cost of Attendance estimate ("Financial Aid Cap").  UTSA and UTEP are stuck in the same boat, as are a majority of schools that we've contacted.  Those who are doing otherwise may be violating Department of Education guidelines, which would have a broader negative impact on the individual schools following audit.  In late April 2008, the MARC program and UTSA will send a letter to the U.S. Department of Education telling them of our problem.  We'll also try to get the NIH talking to the Department of Education. 

What this means is...integration of MARC U*STAR funds into existing financial aid packages of all students will be handled on a person-to-person basis.  If you get into the MARC program...do NOT cash or spend any checks that you've already been awarded from other sources for that semester.  Immediately go to the financial aid office and see how MARC is going to reorganize your aid.  See Christian Torres, who knows about the MARC program.  If you see someone other than him, they won't know how to help you.  The Financial Aid Office has committed to explore every justifiable means of increasing your Cost of Attendance.  Pell grants will not be impacted, but some other scholarships will.  Loans likely will as well...but knocking out loans will create less bondage for MARC students in their future.

In conclusion, proactive and persistent interaction with the Financial Aid Office is necessary for new MARC students, or those who have had a change in financial aid status.  However, MARC is a very prestigious program and well worth the effort.  The training that you will be here can open the door to a great future for you...

04/17/2008

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