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FAQs

What does the MARC GatorSTAR program and grant provide?

All MARC GatorSTAR scholars are eligible to receive the following support, beginning in the summer prior to their junior year:

  • Research stipend of approximately $1,100 per month
  • Scholarship for tuition (up to 60% of the tuition)
  • Registration, travel, housing, and meals to attend ABRCMS or a SACNAS conference in the scholar’s junior or senior year
  • Registration, travel, housing, and meals to attend a regional or national scientific meeting
  • Travel to and from the extramural research program (up to $500)
  • Subsistence during the extramural research program (up to $3,000)

The financial support is intended to allow MARC GatorSTAR scholars to devote full attention to their studies and research, and therefore scholars must agree to not be employed in any manner during their participation in the program.

Would acceptance to the MARC GatorSTAR program affect my financial aid?

The MARC GatorSTAR scholarship and fellowship will not reduce a Pell Grant, Bright Futures Scholarship,  or other UF-awarded scholarship from an academic department or most outside scholarships (although there are some exceptions), but it may impact other state/federal grants. Additionally, it is important to recognize that the scholarship and fellowship will be counted as financial aid and therefore may increase in your expected family contribution (EFC).

Questions about specific aid offers can be answered by the Student Financial Affairs office via sfa-help@mail.ufl.edu.

How many students will be in the program?

The MARC GatorSTAR program is designed to remain small, with no more than four new scholars each year.

Who is eligible to apply?

MARC GatorSTAR scholars must meet the eligibility criteria.

If I’m accepted, when would I start in the program?

MARC GatorSTAR scholars typically begin their appointments on the first day of the summer term. The summer research skills course typically also begins at the same time.

What are the requirements for admission into the University of Florida?

Contact the Admissions Office for information regarding admission requirements.

How do I apply?

Follow the application instructions here: http://marc.program.ufl.edu/apply/application-process/.

What experience to I need?

Prior experience in research is recommended but is not required.

What happens if I have trouble with any of my courses?

Contact the MARC program if you find yourself having difficulty keeping up with any courses. We want all of our scholars to succeed, and we can help by arranging peer-tutoring or tutoring from a graduate student, and participation in activities and programs to improve time management and stress management skills. Don’t wait until late in the semester; the sooner you let us know there is a problem, the more we can do to help.

What happens if my GPA falls below 3.5?

Every MARC GatorSTAR scholar’s cumulative GPA must stay above 3.5 to be considered eligible. A term GPA below 3.5 will not impact the scholar’s standing unless that term lowers the cumulative GPA below 3.5. Scholars who fail to meet the GPA requirement must raise their GPA above a 3.5 in the following term by taking credits at UF but may be ineligible to receive funding for that term.

Scholars who are off-track in their major should seek assistance from the MARC program. Scholars who are off-track in their major for two successive semesters are not eligible to remain in the MARC GatorSTAR program.

Is the MARC GatorSTAR program available to transfer students?

Yes.

How long can I receive funding as a MARC GatorSTAR scholar?

MARC GatorSTAR scholars are supported for up to two years.

How many credit hours do I need to take each semester?

MARC GatorSTAR scholars must complete 24 credit hours in each academic year. The number of credits you take may vary by semester, but 24 credits must be earned each year. Scholars who do not earn 24 credits are placed on probation and must make up the credits in the summer to remain eligible for the following fall term. Scholars must also be considered full-time students and therefore are required to enroll in a minimum of 12 UF credits each semester. Scholars who elect to use a university-granted drop may fall below full-time status, which is permitted. The general rule of thumb is that students must begin each semester as a full-time student with 12 or more credits.

Scholars registered with the Disability Resource Center are required to earn 18 credit hours per academic year and they may petition for additional semesters to complete their degree. Under special circumstances, a scholar may earn fewer per their approved accommodations.

Can I take fewer than 12 credits in my final semester if that’s all I need to graduate?

Yes. In a scholar’s final semester, the MARC GatorSTAR program will fund the remaining credits needed to graduate provided the scholar is enrolled in at least 6 credits. Graduating scholars are considered a full-time student with fewer than 12 credits for purposes of continuing to receive UF student services such as involvement in student organizations, use of the Counseling and Wellness Center and Disability Resource Center, and recreation facility use.

Can I take a summer course while I am a MARC Scholar?

Other than the Research Skills course during the beginning of the summer and the Research Scholarship Seminar, MARC GatorSTAR scholars typically should not enroll in any summer courses. This is to make sure scholars are able to devote sufficient time to working with their research mentor. Exceptions may be made for scholars who need to complete a specific course in the summer in order to graduate on-time.

If I drop a class, how will my stipend and scholarship be affected?

Since MARC GatorSTAR scholars are required to earn 24 credits each year, dropping a class may put you behind in earning these credits. This drop may affect the number of credits you register for the following semester. We encourage students to meet with program director prior to making the decision to drop a class. Each semester, the university sets a date by which all students much drop classes if they choose. Be sure to pay attention to this date each semester as dropping a class after the university deadline will result in needing to complete a petition.  All UF students receiving Bright Futures scholarship are required to repay the cost for classes they drop, unless it is a documented medical reason. Learn more at http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/hubstudents.html

Do I have to live on campus?

No, there is no requirement to live on campus.

What happens if I do not earn 24 credits by the end of the spring semester?

Scholars who fail to meet the credit hour renewal requirement can make up the deficit in the following summer at UF or another Florida community college or state university (per approval of transient form) but cannot receive MARC GatorSTAR stipend and tuition scholarship for that term.

What happens if I take a semester off from UF?

MARC GatorSTAR scholars who are not enrolled in a fall or spring semester are reviewed for renewal based on having earned at least 12 credits in the one semester (fall or spring) that they were enrolled. MARC GatorSTAR scholars who believe they should take a semester off must meet with the program director to determine the feasibility of a successful return to the program.

Can I have a part-time job and still remain in the MARC GatorSTAR program?

No, MARC GatorSTAR scholars may not be employed in any manner during their participation in the program.

How would receiving a MARC fellowship affect my federal taxes?

The MARC program cannot provide any specific recommendations on taxes, but the following information may be helpful:

  1. For the purposes of federal taxes, an undergraduate fellowship is handled like a scholarship or graduate fellowship. The official IRS information on this is here: https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc421. Additional information specific to NIH appointments is provided by NIH here. Other potentially useful information is in this document from Harvard. Note that the trainee’s NIH fellowship appointment does not represent compensation for services. This is also stated explicitly on the UF MOU signed by the scholar each year. This is because the fellowship is technically a grant that enables the scholar to pursue activities for their own gain rather than for the University’s benefit.
  2. If the scholar will be claimed as a dependent by anyone (for example, by parents), then the fellowship “income” will need to be incorporated into their combined income and the information above will apply to them. In that case, they will need to evaluate whether it is better financially for the scholar to remain as a dependent or to instead file their own taxes.