The Lowe Fund loan was established by Charles and Eileen Lowe in 1984 to assist current Harvard College undergraduates in financing initial career exploration experiences so that they might make more informed career decisions. Students are encouraged to consider applying for the loan early in their career exploration pursuits.
The Lowe Fund provides loans to help defray transportation costs for the following initial career exploration activities:
- To travel to participate in an internship that allows you to explore a new career field;
- To travel to attend an initial conference or professional meeting to learn more about a new career field;
- To travel to other activities that may help explore a career field in which you have no experience.
The Lowe Fund cannot be used:
- For research;
- In lieu of salary to pay for room and board;
- For job interviews or professional or graduate school interviews;
- For the primary purpose of networking or job searching;
- For summer courses or lessons or for travel to these activities;
- To attend a professional meeting or conference in order to present research papers or projects.;
- For a Leave of Absence or post-graduate activities;
- As a funding source for organizations;
- For competitions and contests.
Download a Lowe Fund loan application or pick one up at the Fellowships Office (room 302) at OCS.
All travel undertaken with a Lowe Fund loan must be in compliance with the
Harvard College travel policies. If the proposed activity takes place outside of the United States, an “Assumption of Risk and General Release Form” must accompany the Lowe Fund application.
Approval of an application is made on an individual basis. The activity must be in the area of an unexplored career field. A career development experience with a different organization or in a different geographical location does not qualify as exploration of a new career field. All registered Harvard College students are eligible.
Please allow 10 business days for a decision to be made regarding your application. Applicants will be informed of the decision on their application by email.
Once an application has been approved, please allow 15 business days for a check to be processed. (University holidays are not considered a business day.)
Successful applicants are required to submit an evaluation of their experience to OCS within 4 weeks of their return to campus.
Repayment of a loan from the Lowe Fund is expected at a time when financial circumstances permit. This allows the fund to grow so that future students can benefit from similar career exploration pursuits. Subsequent loans will not be considered until the first loan has been repaid. Applications for funding for prior career experiences will not be considered.
Checks should be made payable to Harvard University, Attn: Lowe Fund, 54 Dunster Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.
