14 Summer Programs for High School Students That Offer Financial Aid
Summer programs are a fantastic way to gain hands-on experience, explore career interests, and build valuable connections. Whether you're interested in STEM, humanities, business, or social sciences, top universities and organizations offer immersive opportunities that provide real-world exposure, mentorship, and networking. Many of these programs include site visits, research projects, and collaboration with industry experts, giving you a firsthand look at what your future career could look like.
Some programs offer financial aid, while others are fully free or even provide a stipend, ensuring that students from all backgrounds can participate without financial barriers.
If you're passionate about a specific field and want to explore it further, we’ve curated a list of 14 summer programs for high school students that offer financial aid!
1. Harvard Pre-College Summer School Program
At the Harvard Pre-College Program, you’ll spend two weeks on campus, in an Ivy League academic environment while exploring subjects that interest you. With non-credit, college-level courses, this program encourages intellectual exploration without the pressure of grades, allowing you to focus on learning and debate. The average class size is 15 students, ensuring comprehensive interactions with Harvard faculty. Beyond academics, you’ll participate in co-curricular activities that enhance your social and leadership skills, preparing you for college life.
Location: Harvard University, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small classes of avg. 15 students
Cost: $5,800 + $75 application fee (financial aid available)
Dates:
Session I: June 22 – July 3
Session II: July 6 – 18
Session III: July 20 – August 1
Application Deadlines:
Early Application & Priority Financial Aid Deadline: January 8
Regular Application & Financial Aid Deadline: February 12
Late Application Deadline: April 9 (or earlier if full)
Eligibility:
Rising high school juniors and seniors (Class of 2026 or 2027)
Must be at least 16 years old by June 21, 2025, and under 19 years old before July 31, 2025
2. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation stands as a non-profit research program tailored for gifted students from low-income backgrounds. Stemming from the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, renowned for its extensive one-on-one research opportunities for high school students, the foundation provides the same access to independent research experiences at zero cost.
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can apply here!
This program is a solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort. Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadlines: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility:
You must be currently enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall of 2023.
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
3. Stanford Summer Programs
Stanford University offers multiple summer programs for high school students, covering fields like medicine, AI, neuroscience, engineering, and humanities. Many programs include mentorship opportunities, interactive workshops, and research projects, allowing you to gain valuable insights into university-level education and professional fields.
Stanford’s summer offerings include fully funded programs and those with financial aid options. Programs like the Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR), SMASH Academy, and the Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) are completely free to attend and cover tuition and materials.
Others, such as the Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X), Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills Summer Internship, and AI in Medicine Summer Programs, offer scholarships or financial assistance based on need.
Location: Stanford University, CA (some programs are virtual)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, varies by program
Cost: Ranges from fully funded (free) to paid programs with financial aid available
Dates: Vary by program; typically between June and August
Application Deadlines: Most programs have deadlines between January and April. Check the website for details.
Eligibility: High school students, typically rising juniors and seniors; some programs accept younger students
4. Veritas AI
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application Deadlines: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
5. MathILy (Mathematical Staircase, Inc.)
MathILy is an intensive five-week residential summer program designed for mathematically talented high school students. The program is interactive, encouraging you to formulate conjectures, construct proofs, and engage in deep mathematical thinking. The curriculum emphasizes discrete mathematics, including combinatorics, graph theory, affine geometry, and theoretical linear algebra, while also covering topics based on student interest, such as cryptography, information theory, and Markov chains. MathILy is entirely inquiry-based, ensuring that students lead their learning process while being guided by expert mathematicians. You will spend your days in collaborative problem-solving, rigorous discussions, and mathematical discovery.
Location: Bryn Mawr College, PA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approx. 45 students
Cost: $5,300 ($1,060/week). Full and partial scholarships are available, covering the entire fee for students with significant financial need.
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions with a multi-step application process
Eligibility: Mathematically talented high school students with strong curiosity and problem-solving skills
6. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is a highly competitive, four-week STEM program for high-achieving high school seniors. The program emphasizes hands-on learning through intensive workshop-style courses in fields like autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and satellite engineering.
Each course is designed to immerse you in advanced problem-solving and engineering challenges, requiring preparatory online coursework before the summer session. You will collaborate on team-based projects, culminating in capstone competitions or demonstrations showcasing your technical skills.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not specified
Cost: Free; $2,350 for students from families earning $150,000+
Dates: 4 weeks in July (exact dates vary by course)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions with prerequisite online coursework required
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who meet the program's academic and prerequisite requirements
7. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
The Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) is an eight-week, full-time paid internship for rising high school seniors passionate about biomedical research. Designed for students from backgrounds underrepresented in science, this program offers two weeks of hands-on laboratory training, followed by six weeks of mentored research in a Fred Hutch laboratory.
Interns gain experience in cutting-edge cancer and biomedical research, attend professional development workshops, and participate in seminars and social activities. The program concludes with a formal research presentation to the Fred Hutch community, family, and friends.
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, WA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not specified
Cost: No cost; interns receive a stipend
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors (current 11th graders) with a strong scientific interest; must be available for the full program duration
8. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid summer internship for high school students interested in fisheries, aquatic science, and environmental research. Sponsored by the American Fisheries Society (AFS), this program pairs students with professional mentors across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, providing hands-on field and laboratory experience. As interns, you will work on conservation projects, data collection, and ecological research, gaining valuable insights into fisheries science while contributing to real-world environmental solutions.
Location: Various locations across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico (within commuting distance of the student’s home)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Cost: No cost; interns receive a $3,000 stipend
Dates: June – late July/August (dates flexible based on mentor-student agreement)
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Open to high school students interested in fisheries, aquatic science, or environmental research
9. Magee-Womens Research Institute High School Summer Internship Program
The High School Summer Internship Program at Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) offers high school students an opportunity to participate in cutting-edge biomedical research. This six-week, 240-hour program allows interns to work under the mentorship of MWRI scientists in basic, translational, or clinical research.
Interns engage in hands-on projects covering topics such as reproductive biology, women’s health, and infant health, and present their research findings at the end of the program. The program also includes Lunch & Learn sessions, where researchers discuss career paths in biomedical science.
Location: Pittsburgh, PA (MWRI and Magee-Womens Hospital)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; less than 8% acceptance rate (over 130 applicants for fewer than 10 spots)
Cost: No cost; eligible students may receive a $1,800 stipend if they qualify for the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Open to current sophomores and juniors (rising juniors and seniors) who reside in Southwest Pennsylvania
10. MITES Summer Program
The MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES) Summer Program is a highly competitive, six-week residential STEM experience for rising high school seniors. Hosted at MIT, the program is designed to advance equity and access in STEM by providing hands-on, intensive coursework in fields like engineering, mathematics, and science. You will engage in rigorous academic challenges, interact with MIT faculty and researchers, and build a strong STEM foundation alongside a diverse and talented cohort. The program also fosters leadership, problem-solving skills, and mentorship.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Cost: Free of cost (including educational expenses, housing, and meals), travel scholarships available
Dates: 6 weeks during the summer, exact dates TBA
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds with strong academic records and a passion for STEM
11. Smithsonian Young Ambassadors Program (YAP)
The Young Ambassadors Program (YAP) is a prestigious, fully funded summer experience for graduating high school seniors interested in the arts, sciences, and humanities. The program begins with Washington Week, an immersive experience at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., featuring workshops with scholars and community leaders. Afterward, students engage in a four-week community practicum at one of 20 partner museums across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, gaining hands-on experience in museum operations, cultural programming, and leadership development.
Location: Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., plus a four-week practicum at a partner museum
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Cost: Free (including travel, housing, and meals)
Dates: Late June – Early August
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors (open to students of all races and ethnicities; no Spanish language requirement).
12. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University is an eight-week, full-time research internship that provides high school and undergraduate students the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge scientific research. As interns, you will work one-on-one with faculty mentors and use state-of-the-art technology in various disciplines, including astronomy, bioengineering, climate change, cybersecurity, neuroscience, machine learning, and more. Participants also develop scientific writing, communication, and problem-solving skills, preparing them for STEM careers.
Location: George Mason University, VA (remote and hybrid options available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 130 applicants accepted
Cost: Free (except a $25 application fee, which may be waived for financial need)
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: Closed for 2025 cycle
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students; minimum age 15 for remote internships, 16 for in-person wet-lab internships
13. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program – Texas Tech University
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is an intensive seven-week summer research experience for high-achieving high school juniors and seniors. As a fully funded program, it offers hands-on research opportunities in various disciplines, including STEM, humanities, and social sciences, under the guidance of Texas Tech faculty. Scholars work on independent research projects, attend weekly seminars, and participate in social activities. The program covers on-campus room and board, meals, and programming while also providing a $750 stipend upon successful completion of a research project.
Location: Texas Tech University, TX
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 12 students selected annually
Cost: Free; $750 stipend provided
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, at least 17 years old by the program start date, and a high school junior or senior (graduating in 2025 or 2026)
14. Library of Congress High School Summer Internship (Virtual and/or Onsite)
The Library of Congress High School Summer Internship is a four-week, hybrid program designed for high school students interested in libraries, museums, exhibition development, research, and public engagement. As an intern, you will serve as a teen advisory member, helping shape upcoming initiatives at the Library, particularly a new experiential learning space set to open in late 2025.
Your responsibilities include researching Library collections, contributing to youth engagement programs, and advising on materials for children and families. The program offers training sessions, workshops, and peer collaboration, helping you refine communication, research, and advisory skills. The internship is unpaid, but participants may arrange to receive community service or internship credit through their school.
Location: Hybrid (Virtual and Onsite at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Cost: Free
Dates: June 23 – July 17
Application Deadline: Closed for 2025
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ with an interest in research, public engagement, and youth programming.
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