Frequently Asked Questions
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How is my scholarship distributed?
Half of your scholarship ($500) is deposited directly into your bursar account at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters.
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Am I required to work on a project in my major?
NO. Your project can be in any discipline or interdisciplinary.
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Am I required to work on an independent research project?
NO. You can work on part of an established research program. However, remember that your participation should be a collaborative effort between you and your mentor that allows you to develop your research skills.
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Can I work under the supervision of a graduate student mentor?
YES. You can work with a graduate student so long as the their faculty advisor has agreed to the arrangement and will serve as your official faculty mentor.
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What happens if I do not submit a Progress Report and/or it is not confirmed by a
Mentor Agreement?
You will not receive the second half of your scholarship ($500).
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How many credit hours must I take to stay in the program?
You need to complete 12 credit hours per semester in the fall and spring semesters of the program year.
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What GPA do I need to maintain to stay in the program?
You must maintain at least a 3.0 institutional GPA.
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Is there a way to continue participation even if I fail to meet one or more of the
requirements?
YES. You may be offered the opportunity to submit an appeal to explain extenuating circumstances that resulted in your failure to meet the minimum program requirements.
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Am I required to present at the Freshman Research Scholars Symposium?
YES. We want to see what you’ve done.
- Am I required to present at the campus-wide Undergraduate Research Symposium?NO. We encourage you to participate, but this is OPTIONAL for Freshman Research Scholars and not required.
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What do I do if I haven’t completed any research or my results aren’t complete?
You will still present your methodology and anticipated results at the FRS Symposium, explaining as much of your research as possible.
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Who do I talk to if I am having trouble finding a faculty mentor?
See “Finding a Faculty Mentor.”
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Do I need to be enrolled in university payroll to participate in the program?
NO. The scholarship you receive for your participation in the program is not paid through the payroll system.
- What do I do if I am asked to complete Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) Training?
- What do I do if I am asked to submit my project to the Institutional Review Board (IRB)?
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Am I allowed to be confused about what to do?
NO. Seek the assistance of the program manager, your college coordinator or faculty mentor if you are confused.