The U.S. Department of Education has approved more than $1 million in funding for the McNair Scholars Program at UW-Stout. The program recently received a five-year continuation grant of $232,365 per year, or $1.16 million over the life of the grant, said Director Sarah Wynn, who wrote UW-Stout’s 64-page proposal. The program, funded since 2009 at UW-Stout, serves first-generation, limited-income and underrepresented students as they prepare for graduate school. Scholars receive a $2,800 summer research stipend, along with other benefits such as graduate school visits, assistance with graduate school applications, financial literacy and cultural and leadership events. “We are excited that the McNair program will continue to change lives at UW-Stout. These deserving scholars receive the support they need to earn an undergraduate degree and the opportunity to continue their education at the next level,” Chancellor Bob Meyer said. Since 2009, UW-Stout’s program has served more than 100 students – 80 in previous years and 27 this year, with up to six more students expected to join the program by early 2018. Of the 80 previous students, 74 earned their bachelor’s degrees – a success rate of 95 percent – and 62 percent entered graduate school. A total of 151 colleges and universities in the U.S. have McNair programs, including nine UW System schools and three private schools in the state. –UW-Stout Office of University Communications