14 Free Economics Summer Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in economics, summer can be a good time for you to explore economics in greater depth than your regular school curriculum allows. Through structured and often selective programs, you examine how markets function, how policies shape outcomes, and how data informs decision-making across sectors. Since these programs are free or fully funded, you can access high-quality academic instruction and mentorship without financial barriers.
What are the benefits of an economics program?
When you participate in an economics program, you develop quantitative reasoning, data analysis, and critical thinking skills that strengthen your academic profile. You study concepts such as inflation, market structures, behavioral incentives, and fiscal and monetary policy, and apply them through research projects, case studies, or simulations. As a result, you gain a clearer understanding of how economic systems operate and build a foundation for future study in business, public policy, finance, or related fields.
We have narrowed our list to 14 free economics summer programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Student Board of Directors
Location: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, St. Louis, MO (In-person meetings)
Cost: None
Dates: Academic Year (Monthly meetings usually from August/September to May)
Application Deadline: Typically Early Spring (March/April)
Eligibility: High school seniors attending school in the Greater St. Louis area
The Student Board of Directors at the St. Louis Fed is a unique year-long program that immerses high school seniors in the inner workings of the U.S. central bank. In this program, you actively serve as liaisons between the Fed and your school, gaining a practical understanding of monetary policy, inflation, and the Federal Reserve's dual mandate. You attend monthly board meetings, where you engage directly with bank leadership, discuss current economic trends, and develop professional soft skills, including networking and resume-building. A core component of the program involves creating and presenting a financial literacy project to their peers, allowing them to apply what they’ve learned.
2. Veritas AI’s AI + Finance Deep Dive
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple 10-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 to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have a background in coding.
In this program, you will bridge the gap between complex computer science and modern economics by learning how artificial intelligence drives today's financial markets. You will explore advanced technical concepts such as neural networks, regression analysis, natural language processing (NLP), and Monte Carlo simulations, and apply them directly to economic challenges. Throughout the course, you will actively build stock price prediction models, conduct risk management analyses, and use sentiment analysis to interpret how news headlines impact market trends. What makes this program unique is its mentorship from Harvard graduate students and its project-based focus, ensuring you actually create deployable financial algorithms. By the end, you will have mastered Python programming, financial modeling, and algorithmic trading strategies.
3. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program – Economics Research
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost, barring a $25 application fee / $750 stipend
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; 17+ by program start; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
In this program, you will take on the role of a professional researcher, where you will work one-on-one with a university faculty mentor to conduct an original, intensive research project in economics, exploring complex topics like market behavior, resource allocation, or financial policy. Your days will be a mix of deep independent work, weekly seminars led by distinguished professors, and field trips that balance the academic rigor. By the end, you will develop skills like data analysis, academic writing, and public speaking, culminating in a formal research paper and presentation that could potentially be published.
4. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) - Economics Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available
Dates: The Spring and Fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the Summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June – September)
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th- or 11th-graders.
In this program, you step into the role of a collegiate researcher to explore complex economic drivers like behavioral economics, game theory, and market psychology. You will work directly with a professor or PhD scholar to formulate an original inquiry, conduct a deep literature review or data analysis, and ultimately author a professional-grade, 20-page academic paper. The program’s unique value lies in this personalized mentorship and the opportunity to produce a publication-ready manuscript, offering you a distinct advantage in understanding how economic theory applies to real-world decision-making. This process develops your critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and academic writing capabilities.
5. Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (and Oklahoma City Branch) Student Board
Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City – Oklahoma City Branch (Oklahoma City, OK)
Cost: None
Dates: Academic Year (Typically September – April/May)
Application Deadline: Early Spring (March/April)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors attending a school in Oklahoma; must be in good academic standing
In this program, you will dive deep into how the U.S. economy actually works, exploring complex topics like the Federal Reserve’s "dual mandate" (balancing inflation and employment), the mechanics of monetary policy, and the essentials of personal finance and budgeting. Throughout the year, you will participate in hands-on activities such as "Fed 101" workshops, professional development sessions like StrengthsFinder, and exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of local landmarks like the Thunder Arena to understand the regional economy. The program gives you direct access to business leaders and Fed experts who mentor you. By the end, you will have built leadership skills and refined your business etiquette.
6. Port of Seattle High School Internship Program – Commerce/Logistics Economics Track
Location: Seattle, Washington (USA)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not disclosed
Dates: 8 weeks between mid-June/early July through August end
Application Deadline: May 18
Eligibility: Current/recently graduated high school students or students enrolled in a GED completion program; 16+; U.S. work authorization required
In this paid internship, you will work on real projects that keep global trade and travel moving in the Pacific Northwest’s economy. You will explore complex topics like international supply chains, regional economic development, and sustainable commerce while actively supporting logistics operations or analyzing business data. Beyond desk work, you will tour facilities like shipping terminals to see economic theory in action and attend workshops on professional growth. The program treats you as a paid professional and offers direct mentorship from leaders in the maritime and aviation sectors. By the end, you will have developed project management, data interpretation, and corporate communication skills.
7. U.S. Treasury Headquarters Student Internship Program
Location: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Spring (January – May); Summer (May – August); Fall (September – December)
Application Deadline: Spring: October; Summer: December; Fall: June
Eligibility: High school students in the U.S. who are enrolled or accepted at an accredited institution
The U.S. Treasury Headquarters Student Internship Program provides high school students with exposure to public service and government finance. You take part in activities such as collecting, analyzing, and presenting policy-related data. The internship includes researching and summarizing Congressional hearings, meetings, and official events. Intern placements may occur across several Treasury offices, including Domestic Finance, Tax Policy, and Economic Policy. The program introduces you to areas such as federal taxation, fiscal policy, and economic planning while developing research, analytical, and organizational skills.
8. Stanford Young Investigators – Social Science/Economics Research Track
Location: Stanford University, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Low-income students who are U.S. citizens and are the first in their family to attend college may receive Honorarium
Dates: 8 weeks between the 3rd Thursday in June and the 1st Thursday in August
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students who live and attend school in the San Francisco Bay Area; should not live further than 25 driving miles from campus; have completed at least one year of high school
In the Stanford Young Investigators – Social Science track, you will explore the intersection of economics and sustainability by analyzing how individual and organizational choices impact our planet. You will explore behavioral economics, environmental policy, and decision science to understand the drivers of resource allocation and conservation efforts. During the summer, you will work one-on-one with a graduate mentor on a rigorous research project, participate in weekly lab tours, and present your findings to peers and scientists. This is a hands-on internship rather than a traditional camp, placing you directly inside a working lab at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability. By the end, you will have developed skills in data analysis, research design, and scientific communication.
9. McCombs School of Business: Subiendo - The Academy for Rising Leaders
Location: The University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business in Austin, Texas
Cost: None
Dates: June 14–18
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Current Texas rising high school seniors at the time of application
In this program, you will explore critical economic sectors, including healthcare, energy/environment, and education, and analyze how resources are allocated and managed to address societal problems. During the five-day residential stay, you will collaborate with a team to develop and present a policy or business solution to real-world challenges facing Texas and the nation. Beyond the project, you will participate in financial literacy workshops taught by university faculty and network with corporate executives and public officials. The program is committed to diversity and access and is designed to empower first-generation and underrepresented students to climb the corporate and civic ladder.
10. Young Women’s Institute (Indiana University - Kelley)
Location: Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (In-person) or Online (Virtual)
Cost: None
Dates: Virtual: April 22 & 29; In-Person: June 12, June 26, July 10, or July 24
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (female); minimum 3.5 GPA
At the Young Women’s Institute, you will explore how economics drives business strategy by diving into real-world problems. Through faculty-led workshops, you will learn how concepts such as market demand and resource allocation shape decision-making in the corporate world. You will collaborate with a team on a capstone case competition, where you devise a business solution and present it to judges, effectively acting as a consultant. Designed to empower women in male-dominated fields, this tuition-free program helps you build confidence, sharpen your critical thinking, and master the leadership skills needed to succeed in the business environment.
11. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Dates: 8 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who have authorization to work in the U.S., live in an eligible area, and have not participated in the program before
In this program, you will explore economics through the lens of community economic mobility and cross-sector collaboration. By examining how non-profits, governments, and businesses intersect to address local needs, you will understand the practical mechanics of resource allocation and workforce development. You will participate in an 8-week paid internship with a local non-profit (like Habitat for Humanity), attend an all-expenses-paid Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C. to meet Congressional leaders, and undergo financial literacy training via the Better Money Habits curriculum. Through these experiences, you will develop skills in non-profit management, professional networking, and civic problem-solving.
12. Seed Scholars (Economics) – Yale Women in Economics
Location: Virtual, along with a 4-day residential boot camp at Yale University, CT
Cost: No cost, barring a non-refundable $75 commitment fee
Dates: 10 months between March of the junior year and May of the senior year, including a 4-day bootcamp in late July and monthly virtual workshops
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Current high school juniors of all genders attending a public or parochial School; minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; household income not exceeding $125,000
In this program, you will explore foundational economic concepts, market dynamics, and financial decision-making while receiving long-term college mentorship. You will actively engage in a capstone research project under the guidance of Yale professors and undergraduates, attend virtual lectures from industry leaders, and experience life on campus during an intensive residential boot camp. The program has a dual focus on academic rigor and financial empowerment, ensuring you learn to navigate college funding and admissions. By the end, you will have developed skills in data analysis, public speaking, and strategic planning.
13. High School Fed Challenge
Location: Online, hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Cost: None
Dates: October 23 – March 16, which includes milestones such as paper submission and two information sessions
Application Deadline: February 17; teams must register through a faculty advisor
Eligibility: All U.S.-based high school students in grades 9–12
This program invites you to step into the role of an economic researcher by analyzing a specific annual theme, such as the "Economics of Music," and producing an academic podcast script or paper. You will dive into real-world data using tools like the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) to uncover trends, craft a compelling narrative around your findings, and submit your work for potential publication in the Journal of Future Economists. You will develop skills in data literacy, analytical writing, and team collaboration, and learn to translate complex economic statistics into accessible, human-centric stories.
14. Invest in Girls – Financial Foundations
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Dates: Spring Cohort: February – May; Fall Cohort: Typically starts in October
Application Deadline: Rolling / Late January
Eligibility: High school students identifying as girls
This program’s curriculum takes you through three unique tiers: becoming the CFO (managing money), the CIO (investing money), and the CEO (managing your career) of your future. You will explore essential economic concepts like the time value of money, compound interest, market volatility, and asset allocation. During the sessions, you will actively build a personal budget, simulate an investment portfolio with stocks and bonds, and engage in "speed mentoring" with successful women in finance. By the end, you will have developed concrete skills in wealth management, salary negotiation, and financial decision-making that you can apply immediately to your own life.
Image source - Bank of America