15 Free Programs for High School Students in California
If you’re a high school student eager to explore your interests, free programs can be a great way to learn beyond the classroom, free of cost. These programs can offer you a valuable opportunity to further explore and deepen your understanding of a specific subject or field. Hosted by top institutions, these experiences are either free of cost or offer financial assistance, allowing you to develop essential skills such as research, communication, and collaboration without any financial burden. Additionally, you'll have the chance to connect with peers and mentors who share your interests, helping you build your network.
California is home to numerous universities, offering access to innovative programs that integrate academic excellence with practical, real-world experience. Many programs are specifically designed to help you build confidence and assist you in exploring new academic or career pathways. Additionally, these programs are frequently offered at no cost, making them more accessible. Whether your interests lie in STEM, the arts, or social impact, California’s diverse educational environment enables you to pursue your passions without financial obstacles.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 15 free programs for high school students in California.
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee (can be waived); Minimum stipend of $500
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Extremely competitive; Approx. 50 students
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: December 19 – February 21
Eligibility: U.S. high school junior or senior (16+) at the time of application
Stanford’s SIMR is an eight-week summer research program where high school students conduct medically-oriented research under mentorship from Stanford faculty, postdocs, and graduate students. You will begin with lectures and workshops to introduce key topics in biomedical science, then spend most of your time doing lab work, data analysis, and experiments in one of eight research areas (such as immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, bioengineering, genetics, cardiovascular biology, stem cell biology, or bioinformatics). In addition, a Bioengineering Team Internship (design-based) is offered as an alternative to strictly wet-lab work, where you’ll team up with other students to prototype engineering solutions to medical challenges. Throughout the program, you will gain one-on-one mentorship, attend weekly joint lectures and seminars across disciplines, and engage in networking events with faculty and peers.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; Up to 100% financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis; Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students
Veritas AI, created and led by Harvard graduate students, offers programs specifically for high schoolers keen on exploring artificial intelligence. For those just beginning their journey in AI, machine learning, or data science, the AI Scholars program offers a 10-session boot camp where you’ll learn core concepts and apply them to real-world projects. For more advanced learners, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase provides the chance to work one-on-one with mentors from leading universities on an independent project. You will also benefit from the support of Veritas AI’s in-house publication team if you aim to submit your paper to high school research journals. The fellowship highlights interdisciplinary exploration, allowing students to combine AI with areas like medicine, finance, sports, environmental science, and beyond.
3. Department of the Navy’s Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Several lab locations across the country, including California
Stipend: $4,000 (new participant); $4,500 (returning participant)
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer; Exact dates vary depending on the lab
Application Deadline: August 1 – November 1
Eligibility: High school students (16+) who have completed at least grade 9
The Department of the Navy’s Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) offers high school students the chance to gain both hands-on and research experience in science and engineering. Whether your interests lie in cybersecurity, software development, algorithm design, or data analysis, SEAP enables you to apply classroom concepts to real-world problems while working with advanced technologies and tools. You will be placed in labs that match your specific interests, under the mentorship of experienced scientists and engineers. It’s an excellent opportunity for students eager to explore how engineering and innovation come together beyond the traditional classroom.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Virtual
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 4 annual cohorts run in fall, spring, summer, and winter
Application Deadline: Varies based on yearly cohort
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of at least 3.3
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation is a non-profit initiative designed to support exceptional students from low-income backgrounds by giving them access to high-quality research opportunities at no cost. Built on the foundation of the well-regarded Lumiere Research Scholar Program, which is known for its extensive one-on-one mentorship, the foundation ensures that talented students can experience independent research without financial barriers. Its flagship offering, the Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program, mirrors the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In this 12-week experience, you will be matched with Ph.D. mentors to work one-on-one on an independent research project. By the end of the program, you will develop a research paper on a topic of your choice. Fields of study span a wide range, including psychology, physics, economics, computer science, engineering, chemistry, data science, international relations, and more.
5. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Local nonprofit organizations in Los Angeles, CA, among others
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Paid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer, including a week in Washington, D.C.
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. and have not previously participated in the program
Bank of America’s Student Leaders Program provides high school juniors and seniors with a paid, eight-week internship at local nonprofits such as Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity. You’ll gain practical work experience while contributing to projects that support your community. The internship helps you build teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership skills. It also offers insight into community issues and the role nonprofits play in addressing them. Aside from the hands-on work experience, you’ll also get to attend a national Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll learn how nonprofits, government, and businesses collaborate to tackle societal challenges.
6. Eve And Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program
Location: Los Angeles Pediatric Society, LA (hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: None; One $500 scholarship offered
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 6-8 weeks; Dates vary for different sessions
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Current 11th and 12th graders
The Eve & Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program is a long-running medical mentorship initiative that allows high school students to explore health professions through exposure to a wide variety of medical fields. You will engage in interactive sessions and presentations led by general pediatricians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, radiologists, therapists (physical, speech, occupational), and other specialists. Through these sessions, you will learn about the roles, challenges, and workflows in hospital settings and across allied professions. At the end of the program, you will receive a certificate of completion.
7. Pomona College Academy for Youth Success (PAYS)
Location: Pomona College, Claremont, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: Over 90 local high school students per cohort
Dates: June 22 – July 18
Application Deadline: November 11 – March 3
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders who would be first-generation college students or are from low-income families
PAYS is a no-cost program that combines college-level classes, cultural activities, workshops, projects, and field trips in an intensive 4-week residential summer experience, followed by ongoing programming during the academic year for three years after admission. It is designed to support students from groups historically underrepresented in higher education, including those from low-income households and marginalized communities. Pomona College fully funds the program, covering housing, meals, activities, and transportation for field trips. As a participant, you will live in dorms and take classes in math and critical inquiry taught by Pomona faculty, and receive close guidance from trained college teaching assistants.
8. CAMP CHLA
Location: Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Session I: June 16 – June 2; Session II: July 28 – August 1
Application Deadline: December 13 – January 10
Eligibility: Current high school freshmen, sophomores, or juniors residing in Los Angeles County
Camp CHLA is an in-person five-day program that gives high school students firsthand exposure to careers in healthcare and hospital operations. Each day includes presentations from healthcare professionals sharing their career journeys and “day-in-the-life” experiences, interactive workshops on skills like CPR, first aid, ergonomics, and networking opportunities with staff across hospital departments. During the program, you will also get behind-the-scenes exposure to clinical settings and hospital workflows, thereby seeing how different roles contribute to patient care.
9. Meta Summer Academy
Location: Meta Headquarters, Menlo Park, CA
Cost/Stipend: None; Stipend offered
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: December 1 – February 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 residing in East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, or Redwood City
Meta Summer Academy is a six-week, in-person summer program designed to introduce high school sophomores from specified communities to the tech industry through hands-on learning, mentorship, and skill development. During the program, you will spend about 30 hours per week engaged in workshops and activities that cover coding, financial literacy, art and media, soft skills like networking, communication, and career exploration. As part of the experience, you will meet with Meta employees and guest speakers to learn about different roles and pathways in the company. You will also get exposure to real-world operations of one of the world’s leading social media platforms. There is no requirement for prior coding or tech experience, making the program accessible to students who are curious but new to the field.
10. Scripps Research’s Summer High School Internship
Location: Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA
Cost/Stipend: None; Stipend of $4,830
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: High school students (16+) residing in San Diego County attending specific schools; Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and have completed at least one year each of high school-level biology and chemistry
The Scripps Research High School Summer Internship is a competitive program designed to immerse high school students in modern biomedical research while providing meaningful laboratory experience and mentorship. Its mission is to inspire more young people, especially first-generation college-bound students and those from groups underrepresented in science, to pursue careers in the biological and chemical sciences. During the program, you will work closely with experienced researchers who will guide you through scientific methods, experimental design, and data analysis. This one-on-one mentorship helps you build a strong foundation in advanced scientific concepts and gain first-hand experience with the daily work of a research scientist.
11. The Intern Project (TIP)
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: Generally in March
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors (16+) in Los Angeles County
The Intern Project (TIP) is an eight-week paid internship program that connects high school students from Los Angeles County with opportunities in a wide range of fields. Past placements have included industries such as arts, media and entertainment, business, government, sports, healthcare, engineering, and technology. In addition to workplace experience, you will participate in career-building activities like informational interviews and skill-based workshops on communication, project management, and software tools. You will receive both a stipend and college credit for your work. While much of the programming is conducted virtually, you are expected to attend the majority of in-person sessions to fully benefit from the experience.
12. SFUSD Work-Based Summer Internships
Location: San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Weekly stipend provided
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Varies based on internship; Typically held during the summer
Application Deadline: Late February – early March
Eligibility: High school students; Priority goes to 11th-grade students
SFUSD’s Work-Based Summer Internships give high school students the chance to step beyond the classroom and experience careers in a real-world setting. Over six weeks, you will be placed in professional environments across fields such as animation, architecture, computer science, culinary arts, marketing, law, finance, hospitality, and more. The program not only helps you build workplace skills but also provides opportunities to connect with peers who share similar interests and to learn directly from experienced industry mentors.
13. Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement
Location: University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: 26 high school students per cohort
Dates: June 16 – July 3
Application Deadline: March 3 – April 14
Eligibility: High school students in LA County
The Annenberg Youth Academy (AYA) for Media and Civic Engagement is a four-week summer program designed for high school students from communities near USC’s University Park and Health Sciences campuses. The academy introduces you to college-level coursework while highlighting how media, communication, and journalism contribute to leadership and innovation. As an AYA participant, you’ll build core skills in writing, critical thinking, public speaking, debate, multimedia production, and ethnography. You’ll also engage with USC scholars who are leading conversations around race, gender, and ethnicity in the fields of communication and journalism.
14. USC Bovard Scholars
Location: University of Southern California, University Park Campus, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: Around 120 scholars each year
Dates: July 13 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: Current U.S. high school juniors with a weighted GPA of 4.0 or higher who are taking Algebra II or Trigonometry; Must demonstrate financial need
The Bovard Scholars Program at the University of Southern California is a three-week residential program for high-achieving students from across the country. It focuses on enhancing your critical thinking, research abilities, and college application skills, while also preparing you for future career paths. With a student-to-staff ratio of 3:1, you’ll receive substantial individual guidance. Throughout the program, you’ll build skills in leadership, time management, and communication, as well as practice problem-solving and research techniques. You’ll gain practical experience through test simulations and explore various fields, such as business, law, medicine, and engineering, by engaging with professionals, attending panels, and visiting workplaces around Los Angeles.
15. Los Angeles Urban League Biz Institute
Location: Offered both virtually and in person at Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Year-round cohorts available; Winter (Virtual): February 1 – May 31; Summer (In-person): June 16 – July 3 & July 7 – July 25
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18
The Los Angeles Urban League Biz Institute is a year-long program designed to help you develop business skills and support your entrepreneurial projects. Through hands-on activities, guest speaker sessions, and mentorship, you’ll learn how to create and launch your own business. If you have a business idea, the program provides the guidance and resources to bring it to life. You will receive a $200 startup investment, have the opportunity to earn money on Sale Day, and gain practical experience through field trips and competitions. You’ll also take part in two LAUL-hosted contests and can compete in the national NFTE Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, which offers a $10,000 prize for first place.
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