|
|
|
MARC Benefits
MARC-U*STAR supports student academic
and research activities while they train to enter PhD programs. Students receive financial benefits, as
well as professional experience required for doctoral program admission
and success.
Research:
|
|
-
Obtain "hands-on" research
experience in research laboratories at UTSA or UTHSCSA and at one or
more summer internships. Students have a project of their
own, and will publish their thesis, abstracts, and (hopefully)
scientific papers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial (NOTE: MARC will likely cause
reorganization of your financial aid. See Below):
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:
*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...
|
