15 Free Economics Programs for High School Students
If you're a high school student interested in economics, finance, or public policy, there’s value in applying to free economics programs. These programs go beyond what you’ll typically see in the classroom, offering experiences, team-based projects, and sometimes even professional mentorship. You’ll get to explore applications of economic theory, engage with other motivated students, and build skills that can be useful for future internships, college applications, and even long-term career planning.
Free programs are useful because they remove the financial barrier to access, making high-quality academic enrichment more equitable. Hosted by top universities, think tanks, and research institutes, these programs offer you a chance to learn from professionals in the field. Whether you’re considering economics as a college major or just want to explore how markets and systems work, these programs offer a structured way to deepen your understanding without the cost.
We’ve narrowed down a list of 15 free economics programs for high school students that take place over the summer.
1. New York Institute of Technology High School Business Bootcamp
Location: Virtual and on-campus (Long Island and New York City, NY)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open registration; no application process
Dates: Ongoing sessions from July to December; each session is one day
Application Deadline: None; register individually for each session
Eligibility: Open to all high school students, regardless of intended major
The High School Business Bootcamp at New York Institute of Technology is a free series of college-level workshops designed to prepare you for both higher education and early career experiences. Taught by faculty from the School of Management, the sessions cover a range of practical topics including financial literacy, social media branding, real estate and stock market investing, college transition strategies, and job interview preparation. You can attend any session individually or complete multiple sessions to build your skills and résumé. Each workshop concludes with a certificate of completion, and sessions are offered both virtually and in-person at NYIT’s Long Island and New York City campuses.
2. Veritas AI's AI + Finance: Deep Dive Track
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free for students receiving financial aid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio
Dates: 10-week sessions; weekend meetings
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12 with prior coding experience or completion of the AI Scholars program
This 10-week online program introduces high school students to the intersection of artificial intelligence and finance, combining theory with hands-on application. You'll begin by learning foundational concepts in both AI and financial systems—like financial instruments, risk modeling, and regressions—before moving into advanced techniques such as Monte Carlo simulations, clustering, and sentiment analysis using natural language processing. Each session includes both a lecture and a mentor-led group session, giving you time to collaborate with peers and receive individualized feedback. The program ends with a group project where you’ll apply what you’ve learned to develop models, run simulations, and deliver a final presentation. It's designed for students who already have some experience with coding or have completed Veritas AI's AI Scholars program.
3. Pentacle’s High School Internship Program
Cost: $600 stipend
Location: New York, parts virtual
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Program Length: Eight weeks
Eligibility: High school students
Pentacle is a non-profit organisation in New York City catering to the performing arts community across the United States. Their high school internship program offers students work experience, mentorship, and career development over the course of eight weeks. You will be paired with a small business where you will acquire knowledge of economic frameworks and market health. Responsibilities are 5 hours/week working with one’s paired business partner and 2.5 hours/week for professional development workshops (virtual). The workshop topics cover a range of useful economic skills, such as economic management and data collection/analysis.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Virtual, hosted by Lumiere Education
Cost/Stipend: Free for students receiving need-based financial aid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; one-on-one mentorship model
Dates: 12-week program; Summer Cohort II begins July 14
Application Deadline: November 16 (for Winter Cohort)
Eligibility: High school students; rising juniors and seniors recommended
The Economics Track of the Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a selective, virtual research opportunity that pairs you with a PhD mentor to conduct original research in economics. Over 12 weeks, you’ll meet one-on-one with your mentor to develop a research question, review academic literature, and write a full-length paper on a topic such as behavioral economics, economic policy analysis, or a custom area you choose. The program includes nine mentoring sessions, access to writing workshops, and a final presentation at the Lumiere Research Symposium. You’ll also have the option to receive feedback from a writing coach, and you may be eligible to earn three college credits through UC San Diego Extended Studies. Students often submit their completed papers to high school journals or conferences.
5. Port of Seattle High School Internship Program
Cost: Paid
Location: Seattle, Washington
Application Deadline: TBA, but applications typically open in November.
Program Length: Varies
Eligibility: At least 16 years of age, enrolled (or recently graduated from) high school, authorised to work in the USA
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s national laboratories, offers a business internship designed to help high school students develop professional and leadership skills. This year-round program allows students to work up to four hours a day, five days a week, while gaining hands-on experience in a dynamic research environment. Interns participate in educational and leadership development activities such as laboratory demonstrations, field trips, communication workshops, and career awareness sessions. To apply, students must submit a personal statement, cover letter, and transcript.
6. KP Launch High School Program
Cost: Hourly minimum wage, varying by city
Location: Northern California, multiple cities
Application Deadline: TBA, but applications typically open in November.
Program Length: 8 weeks (from mid-June to early August)
Eligibility: Must be: 16-19 years old, eligible to work in the United States, a permanent resident of a Northern California Kaiser Permanente designated service area
Kaiser Permanente, a California-based healthcare company, offers internships for high school students interested in exploring finance and economics within healthcare settings. Across multiple sites in Northern California, students can enhance their business skills while connecting with leaders in the healthcare industry. A complete list of the program’s career options can be found here. This internship is particularly noteworthy for its emphasis on fields like finance and sales in a healthcare context. While most high school students are eligible to apply, priority is given to juniors and seniors. KP strongly encourages applications from students of diverse backgrounds and underserved communities.
7. Young Entrepreneurs Programme (YEP)
Cost: $10/hr compensation and a $2,500 scholarship upon program completion
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Application Deadline: TBA, applications likely due February
Program Length: Two sessions of 4 weeks each; students can participate in one or both
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, residents of Kansas City, Missouri
The Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP) is an internship opportunity for high school students in the Midwest, designed to provide hands-on experience in business and entrepreneurship. Through the program, students connect with professionals across diverse fields such as analytical finance, marketing, and engineering. Many alumni have gone on to start their own businesses, participate in economic forums, and take on leadership roles in financial investment. The program’s cohort model also fosters collaboration, allowing interns to network with peers and build lasting professional connections.
8. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Cost: No cost
Location: Richland, Washington
Application Deadline: TBA, applications open in early February and openings can be found here
Program Length: During the academic year, between August and May
Eligibility: High school students
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s national laboratories, offers a year-round business internship for high school students. The program runs up to four hours per day, five days a week. Applicants must submit a personal statement, cover letter, and transcript. Throughout the internship, you will engage in educational and leadership development activities such as laboratory demonstrations, field trips, communication workshops, and career awareness sessions.
9. U.S. Department of the Treasury Headquarters Student Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C., at the Department of the Treasury
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; competitive application via USAJobs
Dates: Spring (Jan–May), Summer (May–Aug), Fall (Sept–Dec)
Application Deadline: October (Spring), December (Summer), June (Fall)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens enrolled in or accepted to an accredited high school, college, or university
The Headquarters Student Internship Program at the U.S. Department of the Treasury is an unpaid opportunity for students to engage with economic and financial policy work at the federal level. You will be placed within the Departmental Offices in Washington, D.C., where you may assist with policy research, data analysis, brief writing, and event coordination. You can also apply to work in offices like Domestic Finance, Economic Policy, or International Affairs, depending on your interests. While the internship is not limited to economics, many placements involve working on financial stability, tax policy, and national economic issues. Interns also gain exposure to the workings of a Cabinet-level agency and have the chance to build skills in leadership, analysis, and government operations.
10. Chicago Summer Business Institute
Location: In-person internships across the City of Chicago
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (exact stipend varies by placement)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; highly selective and competitive
Dates: 6-week program, typically mid-June through late July
Application Deadline: March 31 (applications open February 1)
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors; City of Chicago residents; GPA of 3.0+; household income below $80,000/year
The Chicago Summer Business Institute is a six-week, paid internship program aimed at high school sophomores and juniors living in Chicago. As a participant, you’ll be placed in a professional setting—often within the financial services sector or a government office—where you’ll gain firsthand experience in business operations, finance, or administration. In addition to your internship, you’ll attend Friday workshops focused on career skills such as resume writing, public speaking, and professional etiquette. CSBI is designed to support students from lower-income households and give them early exposure to the business world, encouraging continued education and leadership development.
11. SFEPD Financial Literacy Camp For High School Students
Location: Virtual, hosted by SFEPD
Cost/Stipend: Free; includes $25 gift card
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; open to all eligible applicants
Dates: July 21–25
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Society for Financial Education & Professional Development (SFEPD) offers a free, weeklong virtual camp designed to help high school students build foundational skills in personal finance and professional development. During the program, you'll participate in team challenges and interactive workshops covering topics like budgeting, saving, credit, and preparing for college expenses. The camp also includes sessions focused on communication, leadership, and teamwork. Throughout the week, you’ll compete for prizes, work with students from across the country, and present your ideas in team projects. Every participant receives a certificate of completion, a t-shirt, and a $25 gift card.
12. Yale Young Global Scholars – Law & Economics
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT (residential)
Cost/Stipend: $7,000; full or partial need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; global applicant pool
Dates: Two-week session in July (exact dates vary by year)
Application Deadline: Early Action – October 15; Regular Decision – January 7
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors (ages 16–18 by July 19); must be a first-time YYGS participant
Yale Young Global Scholars’ Politics of Law & Economics (PLE) session is a two-week residential program designed for high school students interested in the intersection of economic theory, political systems, and legal frameworks. During the program, you’ll explore topics like market regulation, public policy, human rights, antitrust law, and economic inequality through lectures, seminars, and interactive discussions led by Yale faculty and global experts. With no grades or formal assessments, the focus is on collaborative learning and critical thinking. The curriculum includes unique seminars such as Game Theory in Action and Degrowth as Response to Austerity, and you’ll also work on a capstone project with students from around the world. Financial aid is available, including full tuition coverage for eligible students.
13. University of Pennsylvania Economics Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (residential, in-person only)
Cost/Stipend: $10,050; Free for eligible Philadelphia public/charter school students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; admissions are competitive and rolling
Dates: July 11 – August 1
Application Deadline: Opens in December; reviewed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Current 9th–11th grade students; international students welcome with appropriate visa
Hosted by the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Arts & Sciences, the Economics Academy is a three-week, residential summer program that introduces you to the foundational principles of economics in a global context. You’ll engage with economic models and real-world case studies through lectures, group projects, and discussions on topics such as scarcity, market failure, and global economic policy. The curriculum is designed for students with no prior economics or calculus background and emphasises accessible economic reasoning over heavy math. You’ll also attend two field trips, hear from guest speakers, and wrap up the program by presenting a capstone project that analyzes an economic challenge facing a country.
14. UCLA Economics Precollege Summer Institute
Location: UCLA campus (commuter only)
Cost/Stipend: Free for eligible CA residents through scholarship; otherwise, approx. $3,015
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; applications reviewed on a rolling basis
Dates: July 14 – August 1
Application Deadline: June 13
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grade students; must be at least 15 years old by June 23
The UCLA Economics Precollege Summer Institute is a three-week commuter program designed to introduce high school students to core principles of economic thinking and policy analysis. Through a mix of faculty-led lectures, workshops, and peer-facilitated team projects, you’ll explore topics like price controls, taxation, international trade, and data interpretation. Participants work in small teams to complete weekly case study presentations based on real-world economic issues, building skills in analysis and public speaking. While you’ll earn UCLA credit for completing Economics 1 (4 units), you must attend class regularly and meet project deadlines to remain in good standing. The program is academically rigorous but accessible—no prior economics background is required.
15. Wharton Global Youth Program – Data Science Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (residential)
Cost/Stipend: $10,599; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~75 students per session
Dates: June 21 – July 11 | July 12 – August 1
Application Deadline: Priority – January 29 | Final – April 2
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (grades 10–11); strong background in math and coding recommended
The Wharton Data Science Academy is a rigorous three-week residential program at the University of Pennsylvania that introduces high school students to data science, machine learning, and AI through hands-on projects and academic instruction. You’ll begin with the fundamentals— probability, statistics, and data visualisation using R—and progress to advanced topics such as regression models, neural networks, and large language models. Daily lectures, guided labs, and team-based projects will challenge you to think critically and ethically about data use. By the end of the program, you’ll present a capstone project at the Data Science Live showcase. You’ll also benefit from guest speakers, recitations, and mentorship from Wharton faculty and teaching assistants.
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