# FAQs ## expand\_more Open all sections Close all sections ### Am I eligible for a fellowship if I am a part-time student? expand\_more Traditionally the committee has chosen to fund full-time students but part-time students with a compelling project are welcome to apply as long as you are a degree-seeking student and will be on-campus for the entirety of the 2026-2027 academic year. ### Am I eligible for a fellowship if I will be receiving funds from another source? expand\_more Undergraduate students must adhere to the [Harvard College Summer Funding Policy](https://oue.fas.harvard.edu/experiential-learning/summer-funding/) which states that you may only apply Harvard funding to **one** Summer experience. This policy does not apply to Harvard Graduate Students or external funding. We require that you inform us of any additional funds that you will receive for your employment or project. ### Can I look for a project anywhere in the United States? expand\_more Yes. We encourage you to seek opportunities anywhere in the country where you wish to engage in your public service project. ### Can I receive the fellowship to pursue a public service opportunity outside of the US? expand\_more No. Only public service opportunities taking place within the United States are eligible for the fellowship. ### Can I receive the fellowship to pursue an internationally focused public service opportunity within the US? expand\_more Yes. ### Can I submit a combined letter of recommendation and sponsorship? expand\_more No. The letter of recommendation should come from a person who is not a part of the organization where you hope to secure a public service position. However, the letter of sponsorship must come from the employer or an individual at the organization where you will be spending the summer. ### Can I work at two different organizations, consecutively, as part of my fellowship? expand\_more Yes, however the total length of your summer employment or project must total at least eight weeks with a minimum commitment of 30 hours per week. ### Can the letter of recommendation be from my sponsoring organization? expand\_more No. The letter of recommendation should not come from a person who is part of the organization where you hope to secure a public service position. ### How can I be certain that my application was submitted successfully? expand\_more When you successfully submit your application, it triggers two responses: 1. A pop-up window appears with a success message. 2. You will also receive an email from CARAT confirming submission. (CARAT is the platform for the application online submission system.) ### I am a student at the Harvard Extension School. Am I eligible for the fellowship? expand\_more Yes, if you are enrolled in a degree program and will be a student on campus for the full 2026-2027 academic year. ### I am an undergraduate who receives financial aid from the College, and my package requires me to contribute some of my summer earnings to my academic year tuition costs. Will the fellowship cover this expectation? expand\_more The fellowship will cover the undergraduate summer earnings requirement in addition to your living and travel expenses. ### I applied for the fellowship last year but was not selected. Can I apply again? expand\_more Yes. You are welcome to apply a second time. Your application will only be considered within the context of the current year’s applicant pool. ### I followed the application instructions and pressed “submit,” but nothing happened. What do I do now? expand\_more The online application site is maintained by the Committee on General Scholarships. If you have questions about the system, please contact the [Committee on General Scholarships](mailto:pres_fellowships@harvard.edu). ### I will graduate in December 2026. Am I eligible for the fellowship? expand\_more No. All Fellows must be a student on campus for the full 2026-2027 academic year. ### I will graduate in May 2026. Am I eligible for the fellowship? expand\_more No. Applicants must be returning to campus in 2026–2027 to continue their degree-seeking coursework. ### I would like to conduct research related to my thesis on a public service topic. Can I receive the fellowship for this research? expand\_more The fellowship is not designed to support independent research projects related to your thesis work at Harvard. ### It’s getting close to the application deadline, and I don’t think my recommendations have been submitted. What should I do? expand\_more It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all components of the application are submitted by the deadline, including recommendations. You should inform your recommender of this deadline. If your recommender cannot submit on time, you may wish to consider a different recommender. ### I’m considering working for a political campaign. Does that qualify for funding? expand\_more No. While working in the office of an elected official qualifies, working on a campaign does not. ### My internship is virtual. Am I eligible for the fellowship? expand\_more In-person internships will be given preference when the Selection Committee is reviewing applications. This Fellowship is intended as an immersive summer experience. ### My public service opportunity is unpaid. Will the fellowship cover an appropriate level of earnings for the summer? expand\_more Yes. Travel expenditures, living costs, and summer income are eligible expenses, though ordinarily award amounts will not exceed $6,000 for undergraduates and $8,000 for graduate and professional School students.