STLHE > Awards > 3M National Student Fellowship > Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Are mature students eligible?

  • There is no age limit, so long as you are enrolled in your first degree program.


Are students enrolled in co-op programs eligible?

  • It depends. Institutions offering co-op degrees range from 3-5 years. In some terms you take courses while in others you work. In a full calendar year, you would be considered full-time if your institution states that. What year are you in if you apply to the 3M NSF? You need to consult with your institution, looking mainly at what it says on your transcripts. If you are in Year 4 of a 5-year co-op degree (as stated by your institution) then you are eligible.

  • If in doubt, find out the official wording and timing from your institution from advisors, the program, and your transcripts.


Are students enrolled in undergraduate MD programs eligible?

  • It depends. Some institutions require a full undergraduate degree as a prerequisite entering the undergrad MD program. If this is the case at your institution, then no, you are not eligible for the 3M NSF because you already have a degree.

  • Other institutions require a certain number of years of undergrad courses, often 2 or 3 years. If this applies to you, and you are now in Year 1 of your undergrad MD degree (a 4-year program), then consider yourself as the appropriate total number of years, e.g. if your institution requires 2 years of undergrad courses and you are in Year 1 (of 4) of an MD degree, the you are in Year 3 of a 6-year program.

  • If in doubt, find out the official wording and timing from your institution from advisors, the program, and your transcripts.

 

I am finished all of my degree work but I do not actually graduate until next year. Am I eligible?

  • No. The spirit of the 3M NSF is for students currently in a degree, but not in their first, nor their final year.


Can you say more about who the VP, Students is and what is needed from them?

  • The Vice-President (Students) is not a student; rather he or she is a high-ranking faculty administrator at your college or university.  To see an example of someone in this kind of position, click here.

    Once your package is complete, we recommend you ask the VP (Students) to read your full package. Include a paragraph in your package to attest that this has been done (you or they can write this; this counts as part of your 15 pages). Signed forms or the like are not necessary.