Coach for College

Coach for College is a funded, four-week public service volunteer program that allows American university varsity student athletes to interact with Vietnamese university students to help teach young children in rural Vietnam a curriculum of academics, sports, and life skills. 

If you receive funding from another source, you must notify us immediately.  Harvard College students can only accept one funded summer experience each summer according to Harvard College’s Summer Funding Policy.  

**Note:  Students may apply Harvard University funding to two different opportunities, given that one source of funding supports thesis research and that the two opportunities do not overlap in time.  If a student applies for multiple sources of funding under this exception, they should email all involved funding centers with the timing of their thesis research and other summer experience.** 

MCS awards are not transferable.  If your internship organization or location changes, you need to seek our approval to be funded for your opportunity.  Similarly, funding for one type of opportunity (such as an independent internship) cannot be moved to another type of opportunity (such as an internship with a third-party internship provider or study abroad).  If there are any changes to your internship (i.e. type, format, location, duration, etc)  and you do not inform us, your award may be rescinded. 

Who Can Apply for Funding? 

MCS can only fund students who: 

  • Are Varsity student-athletes
  • Are in good standing at time of application through the duration of the summer internship
    • Students not in good standing at the time of applying for MCS funding will only be considered if they have an endorsement from their Resident Dean (RD) stating that the RD supports the student’s application for MCS funding.  Emails must be sent to summerfunding@fas.harvard.edu by the application deadline.  
  • Are current Harvard College undergraduates, 1st-year through 1st semester senior during Spring 2025 
  • Are enrolled full-time during Spring 2025
    • In accordance with the Student Handbook, students in good standing who are on a voluntary leave of absence may be permitted to apply for Harvard funding, including but not limited to summer grants, provided that they have obtained the Administrative Board’s prior approval.  In making this determination, the Administrative Board will consider the relevant circumstances, including, for example, the circumstances that led to the student’s leave of absence.  Students on leave should start this approval process as soon as possible by contacting their Resident Dean; if approved, students must submit all applications by their posted deadlines.

**Preference will be given to students who have NOT received prior MCS funding** 

How to Apply:

  1. Enroll in direct deposit. See direct deposit instructions.
  2. Fill out the Coach for College Application by Thursday, January 30, 2025 (there is not a separate funding application)

How Much is Awarded, and What is not Included?: 

  • In-person: Cost of the program fee (which includes cost of travel) 
  • It is the student’s responsibility to cover or supplement any extra costs that are not included in the program fee (i.e. visas, personal expenses, immunizations, food etc.) 

If You Receive a Funding Offer: Pre-Departure Requirements

The following pre-departure requirements are REQUIRED for in-person or hybrid internships – MCS cannot disburse funds until all requirements are completed:

    1. Read Harvard College International travel policy
    2. Identify your destination’s travel risk rating - students may not travel to countries or regions within countries where the risk rating is “high.”
      1. If you intend to travel to an “elevated” risk country or region, submit an online travel safety questionnaire. 
      2. If you intend to travel to an “elevated” risk country or region, attend an elevated-risk orientation at some point this spring.
    3. Sign and submit the travel waiver and release form
      1. PLEASE NOTE: Submit either the “College Students – Research of Study” or “College Students – Research or Study in Elevated Risk Destinations.”  ALL FIELDS MUST BE FILLED OUT. MCS will provide a link to upload this form.
    4. Watch the GSS Online Pre-departure Orientation to completion
    5. No more than 90 days prior to your departure and no later than Friday, April 25, 2025, upload the Harvard College Health Clearance packet to the HUHS patient portal.  Once cleared by HUHS, submit a screenshot of the message to MCS. MCS will provide a link to upload this screenshot.

Questions?

Contact the Summer Opportunities Funding team at summerfunding@fas.harvard.edu.