14 Finance Programs for High School Students
If you're a high school student who wants to explore finance, a structured program is a great way to get a head start before deciding on a college major. These programs help you develop skills like financial modeling, investment analysis, and even how artificial intelligence is used in finance. You’ll also gain practical experience by working on case studies, simulations, and projects that mirror real financial challenges. Along the way, you’ll strengthen your problem-solving and analytical skills, which are valuable no matter what career path you ultimately pursue. These programs are often run by top schools and organizations, and led by experts and professionals in the field. You can start building your network with these mentors and like-minded peers you can meet.
Here you can find a list of 14 finance programs for high school students.
1. Veritas AI + Finance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on program type
Dates: Cohorts run year-round in 8-week sessions, in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students with previous experience in AI/ML or who have completed the Veritas AI program
The AI + Finance Deep Dive involves taking part in data-driven lessons as well as completing coding exercises. You’ll learn how to deploy AI and machine learning to derive predictions for stock prices and assess future financial patterns based on historical data, among other related skills. The training will cover predictive modelling, risk assessment, and even possible fraud detection, in addition to other pertinent skills. The objective of the Deep Dive is to equip you with functional, applicable skills and a foundational understanding that will assist you in future financial pursuits.
2. Investments, Financial Planning and You (IFPY)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Paul Merage School of Business at the University of California, Irvine, CA
Cost/Stipend: Tuition $1,395; Deposit $600
Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Incoming high school freshmen to recently graduated seniors
The IFPY program is a week-long commuter summer program designed to expand your financial and investing skills. This program includes presentations from industry professionals and reputed university teachers with case studies, group projects, and online simulations. As a capstone project, you'll create a personal wealth management plan, which will serve as a foundation for long-term financial success. The program covers a wide range of topics, including real estate, retirement savings, investment vehicles, and personal finance, to help you develop and test investment strategies.
3. Lumiere Finance Track
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Depends on the program; financial aid available
Dates: Various Sessions throughout the year, including summer - June to August, Fall - September to December, Winter - December to February, and Spring - March to June
Application Deadline: Deadlines depend on the Sessions.
Eligibility: High school students with a high level of academic performance (Note: students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4).
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a highly selective and challenging online research program for high school students. You'll be paired with a PhD mentor for a 12-week, one-on-one research project in a subject of your choice, such as psychology, economics, or computer science. The program is designed to guide you through the entire research process, from developing a topic to writing a university-level paper. By the end of the program, you will have written an independent research paper and gained valuable skills in critical thinking and academic research.
4. Bulls Finance Summer Camp
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Capacity of 50
Location: University of South Florida (USF), Tampa, FL
Cost: $650
Dates: July 14 - 25
Application Deadline: Not Available
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9th - 12th
During the summer Bulls finance camp, you’re going to learn by doing and attending sessions by experts. With a focus on the elements of financial literacy, you’ll appreciate the key financial concepts that will enable you to make informed choices. This course will enable you to understand a variety of subjects, which include personal finance, financial planning, corporate finance, and investments.
5. UCLA Introduction to Investments Summer Institute
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Commuter $2,985; Online $2,170
Dates: June 23 - July 11
Application Deadline: Application June 13; Enrolment June 20
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 - 12
This 3-week program is conducted to give you a basic introduction to investments. The course provides a foundation in financial literacy and explores career paths related to investing, while also allowing you to earn college credit from one of the world's top-ranked economics departments. You will learn about the structure of the US and global financial markets, the important concepts of money and banking, and how to make personal investment decisions.
6. Bulls Startup Summer Camp
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 Campers
Location: University of South Florida (USF), Tampa, FL
Cost: $550
Dates: June 23 - 27
Application Deadline: Not Available
Eligibility: Students of high school from grades 10th to 12th
The camp is held in partnership with the USF Muma College of Business, which teaches the skills and mindset needed to bring ideas to life. You'll participate in workshops, creative problem-solving, and lively interactive sessions conducted by industry professionals and USF faculty. The program includes learning about digital trends like cryptocurrency and coding, culminating in a dynamic pitch competition.
7. Wall Street Stock Market & Investment Experience
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 100 Participants
Location: New York Institute of Finance (NYIF), NY
Cost: One week $3,599; Two weeks $6,399; Plus airfare
Dates: July 13 – July 26
Application Deadline: July 13
Eligibility: 9 - 12th-grade students
This program gives you a good financial educational experience in New York City. Through a collaboration between the New York Institute of Finance (NYIF) and Westcoast Connection, you'll learn about trading, wealth management, venture capital, and more directly from top industry professionals. You'll participate in live, in-person classroom training led by senior Wall Street financial experts and gain practical insights into various finance career choices.
8. Introduction to Business, Finance, and Economics
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost per session: Commuter 3 weeks: $6,310; 1 week $2,830; Online 2 weeks: $3,965; 1 week $2,815; Application fee: $80; Deposit: Commuter 3 weeks $2,000; 1 week $1,000; Online $1,000; Course materials $50; Need-based financial aid available
Dates: In-person: A: June 30 – July 18; B: July 22 – August 8; Online: A: July 7 – 18, B: July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: Application deadline not available
Eligibility: Pre-college students
This course aims to provide you with an insight into the prices and economic activities of various business organisations. It provides information regarding the identification of profitable investments by a firm, the different sources of funds, and the structural framework of the financial market. The case studies and the self-studies integrated into the program will ensure the proper and pragmatic coverage of the concerned topic. You’ll learn the platforms of the financial markets: stock and bond markets, along with the assessment of investment models, specific risks, and financial appraisal systems, will be discussed.
9. Economics for Leaders (EFL)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Location: Various University campuses throughout the US and Online
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies based on program location; Online $900; Need-based Aid available
Dates: Specific dates are listed on the website for each host university
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines
Eligibility: Sophomores and juniors
The EFL program is a selective summer experience that teaches you to use economic principles to make informed decisions and apply economic analysis to public policy challenges. You’ll be introduced to core economic concepts, reasoning, and leadership theory. By combining engaging lectures with team-based activities, the program aims to equip you with the skills needed. Those who successfully complete the program may also be eligible to receive college credit from a partner university.
10. Wall Street 101
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Rolling basis
Location: Bentley University, Waltham, MA & Online
Cost: Online $1,490; Commuter $3,180; Application fee $75
Dates: Multiple sessions between June 9 and July 18
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
This course is conducted by Bentley staff with industry experience that includes small classes, interactive simulations, and presentations. You’ll gain skills in stock valuation and investment research using industry-standard databases like Bloomberg and FactSet in Bentley's world-class trading room. The program also delves into financial technology and the psychological aspects of investing. You’ll work in teams on various projects like stock pitches, macroeconomic simulations, and FinTech entrepreneurial strategies.
11. Essentials of Finance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Wharton University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $7,899; Need-based scholarship available
Dates: June 8 - 21; June 22 - July 4; July 13 - 26; July 27 - Aug 9
Application Deadline: April 2
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in grades 9 - 11
Essentials of Finance provides a two-week introduction to the world of personal and corporate finance, offering a brief, exploratory look beyond the stock market to include topics like venture capital and corporate valuation. You’ll engage with a curriculum developed by Wharton Professor Michael Roberts, which integrates real-world case studies and applications. You’ll also have an opportunity to collaborate in small teams to complete an analysis project. Upon completion of the program, you will earn a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion.
12. The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 72 students
Location: University of Michigan Ross School of Business, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: Program $5,500; Application fee $75.
Dates: June 13 – June 27
Application Deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Rising 12th-grade students with a GPA of 3.0; Preference to US citizens and permanent residents
This program offers you an understanding of how businesses operate, learn how leaders solve problems, and experience an authentic college environment alongside high-achieving peers. The program focuses on collaborative, action-based learning and includes rigorous, college-level academic work through classes and workshops. This is a good way to discover business from the inside out and learn what it takes to be an impactful business leader.
13. Financial Decision Making
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Online
Cost: $4,099
Dates: June 16 – June 27; July 7 – July 18
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High School Students
In this program, you will learn an introductory curriculum based on the undergraduate finance program at the Wharton School. You will learn the basics of economics and fundamental financial principles. You’ll gain experience with handling data, which will culminate in student team projects. This is the right program for you if you wish to gain knowledge of finance and develop skills that will benefit you for the rest of your life.
14. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipend of $750
Dates: June 14 - August 2
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years of age
In this program, you will be paired with a faculty mentor to conduct research in your chosen field, with the goal of producing a publishable paper or a presentation for a conference. The program offers a wide range of research areas, including business, economics, finance, and Marketing. You’ll also participate in seminars and workshops with other scholars.
Disclaimer: The finance track was absent last summer, but has been there in previous years.
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