11 Finance Winter Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in finance, business, or economics, a winter program can be a great way to explore your interests in a focused, accessible format. These winter programs allow you to experience college-level learning, connect with peers, and gain exposure to new subjects. Compared to summer programs, these options are typically shorter and more affordable, making them a practical way to test your interest without a heavy financial or time commitment. Many of these opportunities are hosted by prestigious universities, organizations, or educational platforms, so you gain exposure to both academic rigor and industry practice, as well as adding to your resume.
Finance programs offer you the chance to explore topics like investment, business management, and financial technology in a concentrated time frame. These programs often emphasize skills such as budgeting, data analysis, and market research while giving you the chance to work with mentors or industry professionals. Some include simulations, case studies, or even site visits, helping you apply theory to real-life finance challenges. Whether you are interested in investing, analytics, or just wish to improve your personal financial skills, you can find a program that suits your interests.
To make your search easier, we’ve narrowed down 11 of the best finance winter programs for high school students.
1. Veritas AI + Finance Deep Dive
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts for mentorship-focused learning
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: October 19
Eligibility: Completion of AI Scholars or prior coding background required; open to motivated high school students
This program is designed to help you explore how artificial intelligence is transforming global financial markets. Across 10 weeks, you will progress from foundational concepts in finance and AI to advanced applications like Monte Carlo simulations, Fama-French factor models, and sentiment analysis with natural language processing. Each week blends theory with code walkthroughs, providing you with practical experience using tools such as regressions, clustering, and time series modelling. You will work in small groups to design and test trading or risk models, ultimately presenting your findings in a capstone presentation. The hands-on project component ensures that you don’t just learn finance theory, you also build and apply AI-driven models to real-world data.
2. Pathways Internship Programs – U.S. Department of State
Location: Varies
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend varies by post
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; based on federal hiring needs
Dates: Varies by posting; Internship Experience Program (IEP) runs during academic terms, Internship Temporary Program (ITEP) runs during seasonal/holiday breaks
Application Deadline: Varies by posting
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, minimum age 16, cumulative GPA of 2.0+, must maintain student status throughout internship
The U.S. Department of State’s Pathways Internship Programs give you the chance to explore federal careers while earning pay and gaining professional experience. Subject areas include finance, insurance, foreign affairs, public policy, and environmental protection, with placements at offices such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of Structured Finance and Insurance, and the Environmental Protection Agency. You will work alongside career professionals, contribute to meaningful projects, and learn how finance intersects with public policy and international relations. Internships are offered in two formats: the IEP, which may lead to non-competitive promotions and benefits, and the ITEP, which provides temporary work aligned with school schedules. Application timelines and specific opportunities vary and are posted on USAJobs.gov.
3. University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) Winter Session Pre-College Program
Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore County (Baltimore, MD)
Cost/Stipend: $439–$6,426 depending on credits and residency status
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to qualified applicants; limited spots per course
Dates: January 2–January 26
Application Deadline: December 20
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
UMBC’s Pre-College Program gives you the chance to experience college-level academics during the winter session. You may enroll in courses across diverse fields, including business, economics, and finance, allowing you to test out potential majors before college. The program emphasizes rigorous coursework paired with skill development in critical thinking, research, and problem-solving. Classes are taught by UMBC faculty, and you will collaborate with peers who share your academic drive. This option is particularly appealing if you want to get an early start on earning credits while also exploring finance-related fields in a structured university environment.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - Finance Track
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; individualized mentorship model
Dates: Winter cohort runs December–February (12 weeks)
Application Deadline: November (winter cohort deadline; rolling for other cohorts)
Eligibility: Open to high school students with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3/4.0; no prior finance experience required
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers a specialized finance track that pairs you with a Ph.D. mentor for 1-on-1 research. Over 12 weeks, you will explore topics such as financial markets, corporate finance, or economic modeling, depending on your chosen focus. The program emphasizes independent research, guiding you through the process of formulating a question, conducting analysis, and writing a research paper. You will also gain exposure to academic tools used in economics and finance, including data analysis and literature review methods. By the end of the program, you will have produced an original finance research paper, a valuable addition to both your academic portfolio and future college applications.
5. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Joint Enrollment Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Standard tuition applies; five credit hours awarded per course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective admission based on application materials
Dates: Winter quarter runs January 6–March 13
Application Deadline: Rolling, prior to the start of each quarter
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, ages 16+; application, transcript, résumé, and recommendations required
SCAD’s Joint Enrollment Program allows high school students to take up to two online college-level courses per quarter, earning five credit hours for each completed class. Winter offerings include courses in business such as BUSI 110: Business I: Fundamentals and BUSI 210: Management in the Creative Environment, making it a useful option for students interested in finance and management. Instruction is led by SCAD professors, and you’ll join virtual classes alongside other driven students, with access to academic resources and peer collaboration. Coursework blends lectures, projects, and discussions to prepare you for college-level rigor. By completing business-focused courses through this program, you gain early exposure to core concepts in finance while building transferable college credit.
6. Becoming an Investor: An Inside Look at Finance
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $1,895; certificate of completion awarded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; selective enrichment program
Dates: Multiple winter sessions (e.g., December 21–January 4; 2–4 week formats available)
Application Deadline: Varies by session (e.g., December 14 for winter session)
Eligibility: Open to students ages 13 and up; no prerequisites required
This online course from Georgetown University introduces you to the fundamentals of finance and investing. You’ll explore how stock markets function, how valuation models influence company value, and how investors create wealth through market participation. The program also highlights the role of fintech, cryptocurrencies, and NFTs in reshaping modern finance. A key feature is the capstone project, where you will analyze a public company’s risks, returns, and future opportunities. Mentorship is built into the experience, ensuring you receive feedback and support as you develop your investment analysis. By the end of the program, you will have built your own investment portfolio and gained exposure to the tools and strategies used by finance professionals.
7. Financial Management Specialization – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free with Coursera Plus subscription; paid certificate option available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; over 90,000 learners enrolled
Dates: Flexible; typically 3 months to complete (6-course series)
Application Deadline: None (rolling admission, open year-round)
Eligibility: Open to high school students with prior interest in finance; intermediate-level content recommended for motivated learners
This specialization, offered by the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois, introduces you to the principles of strategic financial management. Across six courses, you will study financial accounting, investment analysis, and corporate finance, with a focus on evaluating decisions under risk and uncertainty. The curriculum includes hands-on projects, quizzes, and peer-reviewed assignments that mirror real-world financial analysis and portfolio management tasks. You can also explore value-based management frameworks and firm valuation techniques. By completing the series, you’ll build a practical foundation in accounting, investment, and finance, with the option to earn a career certificate recognised on LinkedIn and beyond.
8. Cornell Precollege Winter Online Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $1,940 per credit hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: January 2–17
Application Deadline: October 15
Eligibility: Rising or current high school juniors and seniors, ages 15–19
This three-week program allows you to enroll in Cornell undergraduate courses and earn an official Ivy League transcript. You can choose from a range of subjects, including business, economics, and hotel management, making it a strong option if you want to explore finance at the college level. Classes are delivered online through Cornell’s Canvas platform and may be synchronous (live) or asynchronous (self-paced). You will work closely with Cornell faculty and interact with peers from around the world, while also sharpening your academic writing and study skills. By the end of the session, you will have earned college credits that can often be transferred to other universities, giving you both exposure to finance coursework and an academic head start.
9. Introduction to Finance and Accounting Specialization – University of Pennsylvania
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free with Coursera Plus subscription; paid certificate available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; over 92,000 learners enrolled
Dates: Flexible; ~4 weeks per course (4-course series)
Application Deadline: None (rolling admission, open year-round)
Eligibility: Open to high school students; beginner-friendly, no prerequisites
This specialization from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania introduces you to core principles of finance and accounting. Topics include time value of money, risk-return tradeoffs, retirement savings, asset valuation, and financial decision-making. The accounting component covers bookkeeping, accrual accounting, and the analysis of cash flows, income statements, and balance sheets. Excel-based assignments make the learning interactive, giving you practice in financial modeling and valuation. With its combination of theory and applied exercises, the program helps you develop fluency in both finance and accounting concepts. Upon completion, you will earn a career certificate from the University of Pennsylvania, which will strengthen your academic portfolio for future business or finance studies.
10. Foundations of Finance – University of Cambridge
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free with Coursera Plus subscription; paid certificate available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; 4,800+ learners enrolled
Dates: Flexible; ~4 weeks to complete (part of the Principles of Financial Leadership Specialization)
Application Deadline: None (rolling admission, open year-round)
Eligibility: Open to high school students; beginner-level, no prerequisites
This course, developed by the University of Cambridge’s Professional and Continuing Education division, introduces you to the fundamentals of finance with an emphasis on practical application. Through six modules, you’ll study financial reporting, cash flows, risk management, and return on investment while applying these ideas to real-world case studies. Practitioner interviews and interactive assessments reinforce the material and show how financial concepts operate in business contexts. The course is also part of the broader Principles of Financial Leadership Specialization, offering a pathway for deeper exploration. By completing this program, you’ll gain foundational financial acumen and a shareable certificate from Cambridge to strengthen your academic and professional profile.
11. Introduction to Finance: The Basics – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free with Coursera Plus subscription; paid certificate available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; 74,000+ learners enrolled
Dates: Flexible; ~2 weeks to complete (5-module course)
Application Deadline: None (rolling admission, open year-round)
Eligibility: Open to high school students; beginner-friendly, no prerequisites
This introductory course from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers a concise yet rigorous overview of modern finance. You will study the role of financial managers, forms of business organization, and the goal of financial decision-making. The curriculum includes analysis of financial statements, ratio interpretation, and applications of the time value of money to real-world investment and capital allocation decisions. The course also develops your ability to evaluate a company’s financial health and understand the fundamentals of investment management. By completing this program, you will gain the essential skills needed to communicate financial concepts clearly and make informed decisions.
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