13 Finance Programs for High School Students in Illinois
If you are a high school student who is interested in finance, structured programs are a great option for you. These programs offer you exposure to financial concepts such as budgeting, investing, and entrepreneurship through lectures, projects, and case studies. You develop critical thinking and analytical skills and learn about future opportunities in the field. You also have access to mentorship from industry experts, helping you build a network with professionals.
In Illinois, several well-regarded universities and organizations host finance and business-related programs. Institutions like the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offer summer sessions or pre-college programs focused on economics, investing, and entrepreneurship. Local students can take advantage of programs without the cost of travel or housing, while out-of-state students can explore the various opportunities offered in the state. These programs are ideal if you’re serious about exploring finance in an academic or professional context.
To help with your search, we’ve compiled a list of 13 finance programs for high schoolers in Illinois.
1. Genesys Works Chicago
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost: Paid internship ($10,000–$13,000 during senior year)
Application Deadline: Applications usually open in winter and close in March
Dates: 8 weeks of summer training (June – August) followed by a school-year internship (20 hours/week, August – May)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors on track to graduate, eligible to work in the U.S., able to adjust senior-year schedules to accommodate internship hours
Genesys Works Chicago begins with summer training focused on business, technology, and professional skills. After completing the training, you’ll take part in a paid, part-time internship during your senior year of high school at a company in the Chicago area. Your internship might involve supporting finance departments, assisting with project management tasks, or working with data. Alongside your internship, you’ll receive guidance on college applications, career planning, and access to continued support after the program ends. In addition to gaining work experience, you’ll also have opportunities to connect with professionals in various industries.
2. Veritas AI’s AI + Finance Deep Dive
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Program Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks; dates vary by cohort
Eligibility: For this specific program, high school students should have completed the AI Scholars program or have a background in coding
Veritas AI’s AI + Finance program introduces high school students to how artificial intelligence is applied in financial analysis. Taught by Harvard graduate students, the program focuses on using AI tools to examine and interpret financial data. You’ll participate in virtual sessions that include lectures, coding demonstrations, and guided projects. Through the curriculum, you’ll explore how machine learning models are used to identify patterns, forecast market trends, and support financial decision-making. The remote format allows you to build practical skills in both finance and AI without needing to attend in person.
3. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Various locations throughout the U.S., including Illinois
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Application Deadline: January 15 (tentative, based on previous years)
Dates: 8 weeks from June to August (including 1-week Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC, typically in July)
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are authorized to work in the U.S. and permanent residents of one of the eligible locations
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is an eight-week summer internship where you work at a nonprofit organization in your community. During the internship, you’ll help with day-to-day operations and learn how nonprofits, businesses, and government groups work together to address local issues. Your responsibilities may include supporting staff, observing decision-making processes, and gaining insight into how different sectors contribute to public service. At the end of the program, you’ll attend a one-week summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll join other students for discussions and activities focused on leadership and community engagement.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program — Finance Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school | Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program allows you to explore a finance-related topic through one-on-one research with guidance from a PhD mentor. You’ll choose a subject within the field of finance, create research questions, and develop a paper over the course of the program with regular feedback. Areas of focus may include topics like macroeconomic trends, investment strategies, financial technology, or market analysis. You’ll also take part in the Lumiere Research Symposium, where you’ll present your work to peers and mentors. The program includes virtual sessions with professionals in the field and offers ways to connect with other students working on similar topics.
5. On the Money Internship — Economic Awareness Council
Location: Chicago, IL (primarily in-person, occasionally with online components)
Cost: Free; paid stipend of $16.60 per hour for 7 weeks for all interns.
Application deadline: Rolling until slots are full
Dates: Summer internship typically runs from June to August; spring and fall sessions are also held.
Eligibility: High school students who are residents of the City of Chicago
On the Money (OTM) is a paid internship for high school students in Chicago, offering $16.60 per hour. In this program, you’ll receive training in economics, finance, and entrepreneurship, and work toward a financial literacy certification. As part of your role, you’ll write articles for On the Money Magazine, collaborate on team projects, and help lead financial education sessions. You’ll also participate in weekly meetings, present your work, and receive guidance from professionals working in business and finance. Your written work and presentations are published and shared with a wider audience in the city.
6. Chicago Summer Business Institute
Location: Chicago, IL (in-person placement at financial and business institutions)
Cost: Free; paid internship (stipend provided)
Application deadline: Unspecified (portal opens February 1)
Dates: Six-week summer internship, typically June through August
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors residing in the City of Chicago; must maintain a B (3.0) average, have a family household income below $80,000/year, and be able to commit to the full daily program
The Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) is a six-week paid internship program for high school students in Chicago. You’ll work 24 hours each week at a participating organization, which may include banks, law firms, accounting firms, or engineering companies. In addition to your internship placement, you’ll attend a weekly seminar covering topics such as financial markets, business operations, and economic concepts. These sessions introduce ideas like supply and demand, market structures, and workplace systems. The program combines hands-on experience with structured learning to help you understand how different parts of the business world function.
7. UIC Business Summer Finance Day
Location: University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free (includes breakfast and lunch)
Application Deadline: June 1 (tentative based on previous years)
Dates: June 13 (tentative based on previous years)
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors with at least a 3.0 GPA, intent to attend UIC
The UIC Business Summer Finance Day introduces high school students to finance career possibilities and the academic environment at UIC. The one-day event covers multiple aspects of financial education, offering workshops and discussions led by university faculty. You are provided with meals and have opportunities to interact with other attendees who share interests in business and finance. You must apply and meet the program’s requirements, including academic achievement and a demonstrated interest in business-related fields. The event aims to showcase the pathways available at UIC for those considering further education in finance or related disciplines. You also gain insights into what it is like to be a college student at a major public research university in Chicago.
8. UChicago Summer 3-Week Immersion: Economics, Policy, and Finance Tracks
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: $8,900 (covers tuition, housing, and meals); financial aid available
Application Deadline: April 15 (final deadline, tentative based on previous years)
Dates: Session 1: June 14 – July 4; Session 2: July 7 – July 26 ( tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Any current high school student in 9th–11th grade; must be at least 14 years old
UChicago’s Summer Immersion offers undergraduate-level courses in economics, policy, and finance as part of its 3-week residential program for high school students. Classes take place on campus, are taught by university faculty, and mimic the intensity and rigor of UChicago’s academic environment. Topics frequently offered include economic theory, public policy analysis, and financial markets. You attend class daily and live in university residence halls to experience college life fully. The program is highly structured and best suited for academically motivated students interested in deep study and firsthand undergraduate exposure.
9. Chicago State University: Summer Business/Finance Programs
Location: Chicago State University, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: $100 cost
Application Deadline: Not listed; recommend checking the website or contacting for current details
Dates: June 30 – July 24 (dates vary by program)
Eligibility: 10th, 11th & 12th graders
The Career Exploration Camps at Chicago State University offer high school students in grades 10 through 12 the opportunity to explore different career paths through hands-on learning and guided instruction. One of the available tracks is focused on business, providing an introduction to core topics such as finance, entrepreneurship, and organizational leadership. You participate in classroom activities, field trips, and interactive projects designed to build awareness of business careers and workplace skills.
10. Emerging Business Leaders, Gies College of Business
Location: Gies College of Business, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
Cost/Stipend: Unspecified. More info here
Application Deadline: June 1 (tentative, based on previous years)
Dates: June 22 – 27 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from underrepresented backgrounds with a 3.2 GPA or higher
Gies College of Business hosts this weeklong residential program focused on business, finance, leadership, and college readiness. You participate in hands-on workshops about finance, entrepreneurship, and teamwork, visit local corporate offices, and complete business projects under the guidance of faculty and older student mentors. The program is offered at no cost to selected participants and emphasizes experiential learning and pre-college academic support. This program also supports underrepresented populations seeking access to higher education opportunities.
11. Finance: Investing & Market Insights course | Dartmouth Precollege Online Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895 per course; need-based scholarships are available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: Multiple sessions offered throughout the year with flexible scheduling; next available start date is November 9
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and older
This program covers core financial topics such as investment analysis, company valuation, financial statements, and market research. You’ll learn to apply tools like discounted cash flow (DCF) to evaluate potential investments and explore how financial institutions , including banks, investors, and regulators , function within the economy. The course includes a mix of video lessons, simulations, and a final project where you take on the role of a private equity analyst to create and present an investment proposal. Finance professionals offer feedback and support during the course. The program is asynchronous, so you can complete the work on your own schedule. After finishing all components, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion from Dartmouth.
12. Babson Summer Study
Location: Virtual
Cost: $6,295 + $95 application fee; full and partial need-based scholarships are available
Application Deadline: March 14 (tentative, based on previous years)
Dates: July 7 – 28 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors scheduled to graduate in the next two years. At least 16 by the start date of the program
Babson Summer Study is a three-week online program where you examine entrepreneurship through areas such as finance, leadership, marketing, and business communication. The coursework is structured around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, prompting you to think about global issues and how business strategies can address them. You’ll take part in live classes, complete individual assignments, and interact with faculty, peers, and alumni from various locations. The program focuses on building skills in analysis and communication within a business setting. Upon completing all academic requirements, you’ll earn four college credits from Babson College.
13. Quantitative Finance Virtual Summer Research Experience — Stevens Institute of Technology
Location: Virtual (live + self-paced components)
Cost/Stipend: $2,000 tuition
Application Deadline: March 1 (tentative, based on previous years)
Dates: June 30 – August 11 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with some coding and Excel experience
The Quantitative Finance Virtual Summer Research Experience at Stevens Institute of Technology is a six-week online program for high school students entering their junior or senior year. It introduces you to key areas at the intersection of finance, data analysis, and programming. During the program, you’ll learn statistical methods, work with coding languages like Python and R, and explore financial modeling techniques. The coursework also includes practical applications of data in financial decision-making. As part of the experience, you’ll complete certifications in Bloomberg Market Concepts and Capital IQ, which reflect tools and concepts used in the finance industry.
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