15 Free Programs for High School Students in Delaware
If you're a high school student looking to explore academic interests beyond what's available during the school year, a structured program can be a good option to explore. These programs often combine coursework, mentorship, or workplace experience, helping you build skills, gain exposure to new material, and develop connections. Free programs, in particular, let you gain this kind of experience without cost being a barrier to participation.
Why should you attend a program in Delaware?
Delaware offers free programs through institutions like the University of Delaware, Nemours Children's Hospital, and Delaware Technical Community College. Depending on the program you choose, you could take part in a healthcare shadowing experience, a legal fellowship, or a math and science pathway program. Whether you live in Delaware or are coming from out of state, you can find a program suited to your interests and experience level.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 free programs for high school students in Delaware.
If you’re looking for programs in Delaware, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 15 programs span AI and data science, biomedical research, environmental advocacy, healthcare exploration, law, college readiness, STEM, coding, and workforce development, so students with a wide range of interests can find a relevant free or fully funded option in Delaware or online.
Several programs provide stipends in addition to being free, including Delaware Nature Society Trail Ambassadors ($275 per week in summer), US District Court Fellowship ($400 per week), YMCA Teen Workforce Development (stipend provided), and Upward Bound Classic Summer Academy ($30 every two weeks), making them especially accessible for students who need financial support.
Many programs specifically prioritize Delaware residents or students from first-generation and low-income backgrounds, including Delaware Governor's School (nomination-based for Delaware students), UD College Readiness Scholars Institute (first-generation and low-income Delaware students), and Apollo Youth in Medicine (Delaware juniors and seniors).
Programs vary significantly in length and format, from two-week virtual healthcare explorations, such as Delaware Health Career Collaborative and Stanford AIMI, to year-round ambassador roles, such as Delaware Nature Society Trail Ambassadors, so students can choose based on their availability and depth of interest.
Several programs have early application deadlines, including Stanford AIMI (December 15 to February 20), Nemours Volunteer Program (February 13 to 27), US District Court Fellowship (April 1), and Girls Who Code (April 15), so students should begin researching and applying in the fall.
1. Delaware Governor’s School for Excellence
Location: University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 12 - 17
Application Deadline: Must be nominated to participate (this process runs through the fall)
Eligibility: Delaware high school rising juniors
The Delaware Governor’s School for Excellence is a one-week residential summer program for high school students that allows them to live on the University of Delaware campus. You will choose between an academic program and a visual and performing arts program. During the academic program, you will attend discussions, lectures, and debates, and watch films around a specific theme. You will explore subject areas such as humanities, business, economics, leadership, and the physical and social sciences. The visual and performing arts program allows you to study with a well-known artist. It concludes with a performance or public display of your work. You must be nominated by your school to participate in this program.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies | Up to 100% financial aid offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students looking to get started in AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and have the opportunity to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students have the opportunity to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Delaware Nature Society Trail Ambassadors
Location: Delaware Nature Society, Hockessin, DE
Cost/Stipend: Free | Stipend of $275/week (summer) or $275/month (school year)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: February 10 - September 15
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: 9th - 11th graders (ages 14 - 17 years) | More info here
The Delaware Nature Society’s Trail Ambassadors program is a year-round, environment-focused program for high school students. As an ambassador, you will be responsible for engaging the community through local outdoor opportunities such as trails, waterways, environmental centers, and more. You will receive professional and life skills training, go on field trips, and teach students younger than you. You’ll also contribute to community service projects. This program is a good chance to develop your public speaking and leadership skills and offers exposure to environmental advocacy and justice initiatives.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In this flagship program, you will be paired with a Ph.D. mentor to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. This program is a solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper. You can apply here.
5. Nemours Children’s Hospital Volunteer High School Program
Location: Various Nemours Children’s Hospital sites across Delaware and other cities
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive | Limited cohort size
Dates: June 15 - August 7
Application Deadline: February 13 - 27
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors (16+ years old)
The Nemours Children’s Hospital offers a volunteer program that allows high school students to participate every summer. As a high school volunteer, you will interact with patients and families, perform support work, and gain experience working in a hospital setting. The program offers placements across several hospital departments, giving you the chance to explore different disciplines. Admission is highly competitive, and applicants are selected through a lottery system.
6. University of Delaware College Readiness Scholars Institute
Location: University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 - July 2
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors residing in Delaware | Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5+ | Must be a low-income student or a first-generation college student
The University of Delaware’s College Readiness Scholars Institute offers sessions in the summer as well as during the academic year. As a participant, you will spend the summer attending academic seminars led by UD faculty and staff and engaging with UD students. You will also participate in college-readiness workshops led by experienced admissions professionals, which allow you to learn more about the college application process, including what it takes to write a competitive college essay. In addition, you’ll participate in many extracurricular activities, including field trips, talent shows, and personal development workshops. Once the academic year starts, you will continue to receive support for your academic, personal, and professional growth through sessions led by UD faculty and students.
7. Apollo: Youth in Medicine - Shadowing
Location: Various locations across Delaware and virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Runs through the fall, spring, and summer
Application Deadline: September 23
Eligibility: Delaware high school juniors and seniors
The Apollo: Youth in Medicine program gives high school students an opportunity to gain insight into various physician career paths through in-person shadowing experiences and other educational sessions. The shadowing experience allows you to observe physicians across primary care and 16 specialties during 3-5-hour sessions in the mornings and afternoons. During the fall, you will be expected to attend a mandatory education session, during which you will receive full HIPAA training and learn the expected conduct and protocol in a clinical setting.
8. The United States District Court for the District of Delaware: High School Fellowship Program
Location: Various locations in Delaware
Cost/Stipend: None | Paid $400 per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 6 - 31
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors in New Castle County, Delaware | Must be U.S. Citizens or Green Card holders
The United States District Court for the District of Delaware offers a High School Fellowship Program, during which you will spend time working with the Judges of the District Court or with other federal employees and doing administrative work for them. As a fellow, you will observe District Court proceedings, including civil and criminal cases, and meet leaders in the Delaware legal system. You will also get to tour the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution, as well as the offices of a large Delaware law firm. This experience gives you the chance to gain first-hand experience working in a court system and develop your understanding of the legal system. You will also get to meet and connect with different professionals in the Delaware legal field. Once you complete the program, you will receive a certificate of completion along with a stipend.
9. Upward Bound Classic Summer Academy
Location: University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Cost/Stipend: Free | Stipend of $30 offered every 2 weeks
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 17 - July 25
Application Deadline: Apply before May
Eligibility: High school students
The University of Delaware’s Upward Bound Classic Summer Academy gives you the chance to take classes in science, math, English, and foreign languages. It also helps you prepare for college by offering college-preparation sessions that teach you about the college admissions process. The Summer Academy experience gives you the chance to spend two weeks on the college campus, attend classes, and interact with staff and other students. The program also offers solid mentorship opportunities through counseling and tutoring.
10. Delaware Tech Upward Bound Math & Science Program
Location: Delaware Technical Community College, Georgetown, DE, or Wilmington, DE
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising 9th to current 11th graders under the age of 18 | More info here
The Delaware Tech Upward Bound Math & Science Program is a pre-college TRIO program that provides academic support to prepare for a collegiate experience in subjects such as mathematics, science, engineering, and technology. As a participant, you will spend six weeks learning and gaining relevant hands-on experiences in mathematics and science. You will also have the opportunity to participate in job shadowing and career exploration programs. In addition, the Upward Bound Math & Science Program offers field trips, campus tours, and many other college-focused activities.
11. YMCA Delaware Teen Workforce Development
Location: Various YMCA of Delaware locations
Cost/Stipend: Free | Stipend offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: April 13 - May 29
Application Deadline: Rolling (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students (15+ years old)
The YMCA Delaware offers several free programs for high school students, including the Teen Workforce Development program, which offers professional development and internship experience. During the program, you will spend five to seven weeks in training, participating in interactive workshops covering professional development, interview preparation, resume writing, and finishing job applications. You will also attend mock interviews with local professionals, who will offer constructive feedback. Once you complete the training period, you will be placed in paid internships at various YMCA departments, where you will gain hands-on work experience.
12. Delaware Health Career Collaborative
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 2 weeks
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Rising 10th - 12th graders
The Delaware Health Career Collaborative is a free, two-week program that allows high school students to explore careers across the healthcare industry. The program gives you the chance to explore both clinical and non-clinical roles through virtual exploratory learning. Some of the career paths you might experience include oncology, public health, cardiology, neurology, and more. Participating in this program is a perfect way to gain relevant experience before college while strengthening your resume.
13. AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $45 application fee plus $2,400 | Up to 100% financial aid offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 students
Dates: Session A: June 15 - 26 | Session B: July 6 - 17
Application Deadline: December 15 - February 20
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (14+ years) with strong math or computer programming skills or experience with a healthcare project
Stanford’s AIMI Summer Research Internship program gives you the chance to explore the technical and clinical aspects of artificial intelligence in healthcare. As a participant, you will spend about 2 weeks attending lectures covering the fundamental concepts of AI in healthcare. You will also learn about how AI research in medicine can benefit the public and promote health equity. In addition, the program offers "Meet the Expert" sessions, where you will meet and learn from professionals from academia, industry, non-profit organizations, and government. You’ll also participate in collaborative group research projects and activities mentored by Stanford Student Leads and researchers. Once you complete the program, you will receive a certificate of completion.
14. Girls Who Code: Pathways Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 - August 14
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students who identify as girls or gender non-conforming
The Girls Who Code Pathways Program focuses on developing solid computer science experience and problem-solving skills, exploring careers in technology, and growing your professional network. It offers several tracks, including cybersecurity, web development, data science, and AI. You’ll also get to work on hands-on, real-world projects. Apart from this, the program gives you access to a Discord community, where you’ll make meaningful connections and become a part of a lifelong alumni network. You’ll also get to attend corporate partner events, career panels, and advisor-led workshops on emerging technologies.
15. Kode With Klossy Summer Camps
Location: Virtual (in-person options available)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not mentioned
Dates: 2 weeks (varies by location)
Application Deadline: March 31 (tentative)
Eligibility: Young women and gender expansive teens (13 - 18 years)
Kode With Klossy offers summer camps for middle and high school students interested in learning more about coding. As a participant, you can choose from multiple learning tracks, including AI, data science, and web development. The AI track teaches the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and its role in modern technology, covering topics such as machine learning, algorithms, datasets, and natural language processing. The data science track shows you how to examine and extract meaningful data using SQL, Python, and data visualization tools. It also gives you the chance to work on a project of your own. The web development track shows you how to build a website with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS and covers responsive design, accessibility, and UI/UX.
Frequently asked questions
1. What free programs are available for high school students in Delaware?
Options include academic and residential programs, such as Delaware Governor's School and UD College Readiness Scholars Institute, healthcare programs, such as Nemours Volunteer Program, Apollo Youth in Medicine, and Delaware Health Career Collaborative, law programs, such as US District Court High School Fellowship, environmental programs, such as Delaware Nature Society Trail Ambassadors, AI and coding programs, such as Veritas AI, Girls Who Code, Kode With Klossy, and Stanford AIMI, and college readiness programs, such as Upward Bound Classic Summer Academy and Delaware Tech Upward Bound Math and Science.
2. Which free Delaware programs also provide stipends or pay?
Delaware Nature Society Trail Ambassadors pays $275 per week during the summer, US District Court Fellowship pays $400 per week, YMCA Teen Workforce Development provides a stipend and paid internship placement, and Upward Bound Classic Summer Academy provides $30 every two weeks. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation is also fully funded at no cost.
3. Which programs are best for students interested in healthcare or medicine?
Students interested in healthcare might consider Apollo Youth in Medicine for physician shadowing across 16 specialties, Nemours Children's Hospital Volunteer Program for hands-on hospital experience, Delaware Health Career Collaborative for virtual exploration of clinical and non-clinical healthcare careers, and Stanford AIMI for AI applications in medical imaging and healthcare research.
4. Which free Delaware programs are open to students outside the state?
Veritas AI, Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, Girls Who Code Pathways, Kode With Klossy, Stanford AIMI, and Delaware Health Career Collaborative are all virtual and open to students regardless of location. Most in-person Delaware programs, such as Governor's School, Apollo, and UD College Readiness, require Delaware residency or school enrollment.
5. When should I apply to free programs for high school students in Delaware?
Stanford AIMI opens applications in December and closes February 20. Nemours Volunteer Program closes February 13 to 27, and US District Court Fellowship closes April 1. Girls Who Code closes April 15, UD College Readiness Scholars Institute closes May 1, and Kode With Klossy closes around March 31. Programs, such as Delaware Nature Society Trail Ambassadors and Veritas AI, accept rolling applications, so students should monitor program websites from early fall and apply as soon as registration opens.