Civics, history, and government test preparation
Every student receives practical, respectful support built around their goals, language, and stage in the naturalization process.
A civic service program of the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics
Free citizenship support from trained Harvard College students.
The Harvard Citizenship Program provides free, confidential, multilingual citizenship tutoring and naturalization support for adults across Massachusetts, from the first question to the final ceremony.
Always free. No tutoring fees. No program fees. No cost to begin.Impact
Since 2002, citizenship through service.
For more than two decades, the program has supported members of the Harvard community and Greater Boston through civics, English, interview preparation, N-400 support, and director-led fundraising for application costs.
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new U.S. citizens supported since 2002
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years of civic service
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Harvard College tutors this year
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active tutees this year
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tutor languages represented
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active partners
Always free
What we provide
Every student receives practical, respectful support built around their goals, language, and stage in the naturalization process.
English speaking, reading, writing, and ESL support
Every student receives practical, respectful support built around their goals, language, and stage in the naturalization process.
Naturalization interview practice and confidence-building
Every student receives practical, respectful support built around their goals, language, and stage in the naturalization process.
N-400 interpretation and preparation support
Every student receives practical, respectful support built around their goals, language, and stage in the naturalization process.
USCIS notice review and document organization support
Every student receives practical, respectful support built around their goals, language, and stage in the naturalization process.
Transportation assistance and filing-cost fundraising support
Every student receives practical, respectful support built around their goals, language, and stage in the naturalization process.
Methodology
Our method
We combine one-on-one tutoring, multilingual matching, weekly accountability, and legal referral pathways when specialized expertise is needed.
Welcome meeting
Program directors contact each registrant within approximately two days to understand goals, language needs, and next steps.
Match
Students are matched with trained Harvard College tutors based on language, tutoring format, and citizenship stage.
Weekly support
Tutors meet at least once a week online or in person, with more frequent sessions when needed.
Naturalization journey
Students receive support through preparation, application milestones, interview practice, and the final ceremony.
Referral network
Our partners
Our partners identify adults who may benefit from citizenship support, connect students with trusted referral pathways, and provide legal or institutional expertise when specialized guidance is needed.
Harvard Bridge Program
Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinic
Harvard Law School
Harvard Kennedy School
Harvard Institute of Politics
Cambridge Community Learning Center
Cambridge Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship
Boston Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement
Law Offices of Beyanid Montoya-Sheehan
Project Citizenship
De Novo Center for Justice and HealingHarvard Bridge ProgramHarvard Immigration and Refugee ClinicHarvard Law SchoolHarvard Kennedy SchoolHarvard Institute of PoliticsCambridge Community Learning CenterCambridge Commission on Immigrant Rights and CitizenshipBoston Mayor's Office for Immigrant AdvancementLaw Offices of Beyanid Montoya-SheehanProject CitizenshipDe Novo Center for Justice and Healing
Confidentiality
Privacy comes first
The program collects only the information needed to contact students, understand language preferences, and match students with tutors. Student information is stored in official HKS-IOP program files and is accessible only to authorized HKS-IOP personnel and program directors. We do not share information with partners or outside organizations unless the student explicitly requests referral support. We never publish a student’s name, photo, story, or personal information without written permission.
The Harvard Citizenship Program does not provide legal advice or legal representation. When legal questions arise, directors connect students with trusted legal partners and Harvard Law School-affiliated support pathways when appropriate.
Registration
ALWAYS FREE: Register for Help Getting U.S. Citizenship with Trained Harvard Students
We accompany you from the first form to the final ceremony. Our director-led fundraising helps remove filing costs so students never pay for our services.
Current registration window:
Leadership
Program leadership
Mateo Hernández-Hernández ’28
Co-Director
Mateo Hernández-Hernández ’28 is a Co-Director of the Harvard Citizenship Program. He is a sophomore in Lowell House from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and Laredo, Texas, studying Neurobiology, Anthropology, and Chemistry & Chemical Biology. He focuses on program structure, Greater Boston outreach, updated tutoring resources, and multilingual service.
mhernandezhernandez@college.harvard.edu
Susie Coakley ’29
Co-Director
Susie Coakley ’29 is a Co-Director of the Harvard Citizenship Program. She is a first-year student from Elm Grove, Wisconsin, studying Government and Economics. She focuses on community partnerships, program capacity, and meaningful connections between tutors and students.
scoakley@college.harvard.eduSuccess stories
We change lives through citizenship.
A moment from our 2026 Naturalization Graduation Ceremony, celebrating one student’s successful journey to U.S. citizenship. Shared with written permission.
“Your accomplishment reminds us that American citizenship should not be taken for granted.”
“Becoming a U.S. citizen was important to me because it meant that I could make my opinion count by voting.”
From the first question to the final ceremony, the Harvard Citizenship Program helps students move with confidence, dignity, and hope.
Donations and supplies
Support our work
The program is free for every student. Donations and in-kind support help cover N-400 filing assistance, transportation, printed materials, tutoring supplies, outreach, technology, interpretation support, notebooks, folders, pens, pencils, laptops, books, and other learning materials.
To support the program, contact the Co-Directors at citizenship@harvardiop.org.
Contact about supportContact
Contact us
For student support, partner referrals, media, donor questions, or administrative inquiries, contact the program or send a message below.
Program email
citizenship@harvardiop.orgMateo Hernández-Hernández
mhernandezhernandez@college.harvard.eduSusie Coakley
scoakley@college.harvard.eduContact us
Harvard student interest
Harvard College students apply through the IOP Common Application. When applications are closed, students may join the interest list.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is the program really free?
Yes. Every service provided by the Harvard Citizenship Program is free. Students do not pay for tutoring, ESL support, civics preparation, N-400 support, interview practice, or program participation.
Who can receive support?
Any adult residing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts may register. Students do not need to be Harvard employees or already connected to Harvard.
Can I register for someone else?
Yes. Family members, Harvard employees, and community partners may register an adult learner. We will follow up with the student directly when appropriate.
Can I receive help if I do not speak English well?
Yes. We provide ESL support and try to match students with tutors who speak their preferred language whenever possible.
Can I request a tutor who speaks my language?
Yes. Tutor language capacity includes Spanish, Mandarin, Haitian Creole, French, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Arabic, Russian, Italian, Hindi, Cape Verdean Creole, Korean, German, Telugu, Amharic, Tagalog, Japanese, Urdu, Albanian, Farsi, Thai, Punjabi, Yoruba, Swahili, Mongolian, and English.
Can you help with the N-400?
Yes. Trained tutors can help students understand and work through the N-400 process. Students remain responsible for their own application.
Does the program provide legal advice?
No. The Harvard Citizenship Program does not provide legal advice or legal representation. When legal questions arise, directors connect students with trusted legal partners when appropriate.
How often will I meet with a tutor?
Students meet with tutors at least once per week. Additional meetings may be arranged depending on the student’s needs and tutor availability.
Can tutoring be online or in person?
Yes. Tutoring may be virtual or in person, arranged between the student and tutor. In-person meetings may take place at community centers, libraries, or Harvard buildings.
When will I be matched?
The program has three match windows. Registrations from July 1 to September 30 join the September class start. Registrations from October 1 to February 28 join the February class start. Registrations from March 1 to June 30 join the June class start.
Is my information private?
Yes. Confidentiality is central to the program. We do not share student information with partners or outside organizations unless the student explicitly requests referral support.
Will my photo or story be shared?
Never without written permission.