15 Best Finance Programs for High School Students

If you're a high school student curious about how money, markets, and businesses work, participating in a finance program can be a good way to explore the subject. These programs introduce you to core concepts such as investing, financial analysis, market behavior, and business decision-making. You also get the chance to learn from instructors and interact with peers who share an interest in economics and finance.

What are the benefits of a finance program?

Finance programs help you understand how financial systems operate and how decisions are made in business and investment settings. You get to dive into projects like building and managing mock investment portfolios, analyzing actual market data, creating financial models, and pitching your own investment strategies to industry experts. These experiences can help you develop analytical thinking, strengthen quantitative skills, and explore potential academic or career paths in finance and business.

To make your search easier, we’ve narrowed down our list to the 15 best finance programs for high school students.

If you’re looking for online finance programs, check out our blog here.

1. CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) High School Internship

Location: 15+ office locations nationwide

Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend, paid, amount not specified

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; small group per office

Dates: 8 weeks (June – August)

Application Deadline: Rolling (Typically early Spring)

Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 16 and 18

The CLA High School Internship Program is an eight-week paid opportunity at one of the largest accounting and professional services firms in the country. You will explore professional finance by rotating through active accounting, tax, wealth management, and consulting departments. Throughout the summer, you will engage in hands-on tasks such as running client service simulations, shadowing tax preparation, and conducting basic financial analysis. The internship has a direct partnership with Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), giving you access to exclusive national presentation competitions.

2. Veritas AI’s AI + Finance 

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; one-on-one mentorship

Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply here

Eligibility: High school students with prior experience with AI/ML or who have completed a Veritas AI program

Veritas AI is an AI program for ambitious high school students, founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Through the AI + Finance Deep Dive, you will gain a deeper understanding of AI applications in the financial field. You will have a chance to engage in lectures, code walkthroughs, and real-world projects involving AI & ML models to predict future financial patterns from past data, forecast stock prices, and more. 

3. UT Austin McCombs Summer Programs: Discover Yourself In Accounting Majors and Careers

Location: Austin, TX

Cost: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically limited to a focused group of high-potential students

Dates: June 21–26

Application Deadline: January 31

Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors

McCombs Discover Yourself In Accounting Majors and Careers (DYNAMC) offers high school students a no-cost leadership and business experience. You will have the opportunity to gain knowledge from renowned faculty and speakers from all around the world. You will be introduced to various opportunities in accounting, experience campus life, and showcase your skills through a case competition. You will receive mentorship and guidance from UT Austin student leaders. The program encourages participation from students who are overcoming economic or social hardships and are the first members of their family attending college. 

4. Ladder Internship Program – Finance Track

Location: Remote

Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 10%; 70–100 students per session

Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)

Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks

Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students. In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from finance, deep tech, and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. The Finance track will allow you to explore and work on a range of concepts, including risk management, investment strategies, portfolio management, financial analysis, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.

5. Urban Leadership Fellows (ULF) Program

Location: New York City, NY

Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not disclosed

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; small peer cohorts

Dates: 6 weeks (July – August)

Application Deadline: Mid-February

Eligibility: Graduating NYC high school seniors; minimum 3.0 GPA

The Urban Leadership Fellows Program, sponsored by The Municipal Forum of New York, is a six-week internship that engages you directly in the municipal finance industry. You will work full-time alongside professionals at major financial firms, analyzing data, observing live financial operations, and tackling real-world business challenges. You will also participate in "Municipal Bond School," attend specialized career development workshops, and receive dedicated guidance from a young professional mentor. The program exclusively focuses on public finance, giving you a rare glimpse into how city infrastructure is funded and managed. 

6. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program (Economics / Business Track)

Location: Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)

Cost/Stipend: No cost / $750 stipend

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 12 students

Dates: June 21 – August 6

Application Deadline: February 16

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (at least 17 years old by the start date); U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents.

The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a highly selective, seven-week residential research initiative at Texas Tech University that immerses you in university-level academic inquiry. You will explore advanced topics within your chosen field, such as economics, business, or various STEM disciplines. During the program, you will work one-on-one with a faculty mentor to design an independent research project, participate in weekly academic seminars, attend off-site field trips, and write a comprehensive research report. By the program's conclusion, you will have developed critical thinking, advanced research methodology, data analysis, and professional academic writing skills.

7. KPMG Future Leaders Program

Location: Multiple KPMG locations

Cost/Stipend: No cost / $1,000 annual scholarship

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 1% – 2% acceptance; 22 scholars

Dates: Mid-July

Application Deadline: February 1

Eligibility: Female high school seniors graduating in the current academic year; minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA; demonstrated financial need (household income <$75,000); planning to enroll in a 4-year undergraduate program in a Business or STEM track; U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents

The KPMG Future Leaders Program aims to encourage diversity among female students in Business and STEM fields. You will have the opportunity to attend seminars, participate in workshops, and receive mentorship. You will learn a range of concepts, including corporate responsibility, complex financial decision-making, ethics, and business. You will sharpen your communication and analytical skills while exploring careers in finance. You will be assigned a female executive as your mentor who attended the KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit. The program offers a great learning opportunity for students with strong academic and leadership abilities and a passion for pursuing a major in business. 

8. Leeds School of Business - Business Leadership Program (BLP)

Location: University of Colorado Leeds School of Business

Cost: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; around 30–40 students per year

Dates: June 21–27

Application Deadline: March 13

Eligibility: Current Colorado high school juniors; must be Colorado residents

The Leeds School of Business Leadership Program (BLP)  is a no-cost, high-impact learning opportunity for high school students. You will engage in hands-on activities and solve real-world business problems through participating in a case challenge set. You will receive guidance from top business professionals, develop real-world skills in business and leadership, and strengthen your college applications. The program allows you to work in teams on the creation and implementation of a marketing campaign for BLP’s corporate partners. A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to the team with the best campaign and solution.

9. University of Kansas: Summer Venture in Business (SVB)

Location: The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Cost: $50 participation fee

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; roughly 20–35 students per session

Dates: July 19–24

Application Deadline: February 13

Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th-grade students; Meet one of the academic requirements: - Test-optional pathway: 3.4+ high school GPA (weighted or unweighted, 4.0 scale) OR Business Index Pathway: ACT (or SAT equivalent)/10+ high school GPA = 5.55+

University of Kansas: Summer Venture in Business is a six-day summer school academy for high school students. The program will allow you to attend academic sessions led by faculty at the KU School of Business, participate in workshops, and engage in panel discussions with students and alumni. You will gain access to KU academic resources, become familiar with business topics and college life, and be equipped with the knowledge and tools for strong college applications. Along with gaining academic knowledge, you will also have the opportunity to go on a campus and industry tour with SVB corporate sponsors and attend evening activities.

10. Notre Dame Leadership Seminars (Investing / Business Tracks)

Location: Notre Dame, IN

Cost: $75 application fee + $150 enrollment fee; financial aid is available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 120–150 students annually

Dates: July 18–29

Application Deadline: January 21

Eligibility: Current high school juniors (rising seniors) who will be at least 16 years old by August 1 of the program year

In this seminar, you will engage in rigorous, college-level academic exploration centered around the ethical and societal impacts of business and investing. You will explore complex topics like market economics, wealth creation, compound interest, and the responsibilities of ethical business leaders. During the 10-day program, you will actively participate in intimate discussion-based seminars, analyze real-world financial case studies, collaborate with peers on comprehensive group projects, and tackle reflective learning exercises. By the end of the program, you will have cultivated essential skills in critical thinking, ethical decision-making, financial literacy, and effective communication.

11. Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI)

Location: Chicago, IL

Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount unspecified

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; around 125 students yearly

Dates: Six weeks during the Summer

Application Deadline: March 31

Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors residing in Chicago with a family income of $80,000 or less per year and  a GPA of B or 3.0

Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) offers paid internship opportunities to Chicago-based high school students. You will gain familiarity with the financial services sector, prepare for the world of business, and receive an incentive to continue with your education. You will participate in workshops, listen to guest speakers, and attend Q&A sessions. You will have the opportunity to interact with mentors and discuss a range of topics, including interpersonal communication, elevator pitches, leadership skills, and management styles. The program aims to provide you with access to jobs and to help you make a positive impact on the world as a leader.

12. 1435 Capital Management’s Venture Analyst High School Internship

Location: Princeton, NJ

Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not disclosed

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 3–4 students

Dates: 10 weeks during the summer between June and August

Application Deadline: Rolling basis

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old, authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship, and able to commute to Princeton

The Venture Analyst High School Internship at 1435 Capital Management is a hands-on learning opportunity for high school students. The program will allow you to explore the world of finance and venture capital, gain practical knowledge through a specialized venture capital firm, and learn about the real-world financial processes. You will work with experts and professionals, engage with startups, gain knowledge about investment strategies, and develop valuable skills for a career in finance. The program aims to prepare you to be a part of the next generation of finance leaders and is a great opportunity if you have an interest and passion for entrepreneurship. 

13. Morgan Stanley Finance Academy

Location: Virtual

Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 160 students per cycle

Dates: October – March

Application Deadline: Typically mid-September

Eligibility: High school seniors

The Morgan Stanley Finance Academy is a five-month virtual career development program designed to introduce you to the financial services industry. Throughout the program, you will explore core topics like strategic decision-making, financial markets, asset management, and corporate finance. You will actively participate in biweekly skill-building sessions, receive direct mentorship from Morgan Stanley professionals, and collaborate with peers on a competitive capstone project that simulates real-life finance scenarios based on an actual Morgan Stanley client. By the end of the program, you will have developed practical skills in financial analysis, teamwork, strategic problem-solving, and professional networking. 

14. Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals

Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, MA

Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not disclosed

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 20–30 interns per year

Dates: July – August

Application Deadline: Typically, early Spring

Eligibility: Boston Public Schools students who have completed their sophomore year

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston: Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals is a paid learning experience for high school students. You will participate in skill-building workshops and have the opportunity for an extended year-round internship program, depending on available openings and your individual interests. The program aims to explore innovations that can help overcome challenges related to the economic stability and the success of lower-income youth. By the end, you will have developed interpersonal, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills. The program is a great opportunity to prepare yourself for the current competitive job market. 

15. Fidelity Investments Boundless High School Internship

Location: Boston, MA & Merrimack, NH

Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend, hourly rate not disclosed

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; small cohorts

Dates: 5 weeks (July – August)

Application Deadline: Typically, March/April

Eligibility: Female high school students (preferably juniors or seniors) interested in finance.

The Fidelity Boundless High School Internship is a five-week program designed to introduce you to the fast-paced financial services industry. During the program, you will explore topics like investment operations, financial planning, client support, and data-driven decision-making. You will actively participate in job shadowing, complete hands-on skill-building workshops, and learn to navigate professional financial software tools used by industry experts. The program is dedicated to empowering young women by pairing them directly with a female mentor who guides their career discovery. By the end of the summer, you will have developed analytical abilities, presentation skills, and a deep understanding of corporate finance workflows.

Image source - KPMG