15 Free Programs for High School Students in Los Angeles, California
As a high school student, free programs help you explore new interests, build practical skills, and get exposure to fields you might not encounter in a regular school day. Through these opportunities, you can develop academic and professional skills, work alongside peers with similar interests, and learn from instructors, researchers, and practitioners. An additional benefit of free programs is that you can explore new academic and career interests without financial barriers, making them more accessible.
Why should you attend a program in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles offers access to universities, research centres, hospitals, creative institutions, and nonprofit organisations across a wide range of fields. You can take part in research projects, workshops, or community service roles that help you understand how different fields operate. Whether you live in Los Angeles or are traveling to the city, these programs provide structured opportunities to explore your interests and build your profile.
Below, you’ll find a list of 15 free programs for high school students in Los Angeles, California.
If you are looking for engineering internships in Los Angeles, check out our blog here.
1. USC Bovard Scholars
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: High school juniors with a weighted 4.0 GPA or higher, who are enrolled in Algebra II and Trigonometry, and have demonstrated financial need
USC Bovard Scholars focuses heavily on developing your college-readiness skills through a mix of workshops, advising sessions, and a multi-week residential experience. You receive one-on-one guidance from admissions coaches who help you navigate applications, essays, and competitive scholarship opportunities. During the summer residency, you will explore academic pathways, visit workplaces connected to different career fields, and participate in an intensive curriculum designed to strengthen your study habits and planning skills. You will also complete practice testing and learn strategies for managing standardised exams. This free program for high school students in Los Angeles provides a deep dive into what it takes to move from high school into highly selective universities.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with 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 get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance 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. Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy
Location: City of Hope, Duarte, CA
Stipend: $4,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approx. 70–90 students
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 by the start of the program and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
At this research academy, you design and carry out your own biomedical project while working directly with faculty, graduate students, and lab staff. Your summer includes hands-on lab work, weekly seminars, and regular discussions that push you to think like a researcher rather than a student completing assignments. You also practice scientific communication by presenting your work in meetings, writing a final research report, and participating in a poster session. The program emphasises both technical skills and communication skills, reflecting what’s expected in scientific environments.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Virtual
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Low-income high-school students
This research-focused program pairs you with a PhD mentor who guides you through the process of building an independent project from the ground up. Over twelve weeks, you learn how to choose a topic, review existing research, form a question, and write a full paper. Your project can fall under areas such as psychology, engineering, economics, data science, or international relations, giving you flexibility to follow your academic interests. The structure is highly individualised, so you spend most of your time working through real research methods rather than preset assignments. It serves as an alternative for students in Los Angeles seeking free programs that centre on academic inquiry rather than general enrichment.
5. Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) High School Summer Volunteer Program
Location: Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 new students/year
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–17 by the program start date
This volunteer program places you in hospital departments where you support patients, families, and staff through service-oriented tasks. Your responsibilities may include escorting patients, greeting families, helping with clerical work, and distributing activity items to younger patients. Since the work centres on service rather than clinical training, you’re learning how hospitals function from a logistical and interpersonal angle. The schedule is structured, and you commit a set number of hours each week to build consistency and reliability in your role. Students looking for free programs for high school students in Los Angeles, California, can consider this option for hands-on volunteer experience rather than medical observation.
6. Los Angeles Urban League Biz Institute
Location: Virtual/Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18
This free program for high school students centres on helping you develop the skills needed to take a business idea from concept to execution. Through workshops, mentor interactions, and structured activities, you will examine how entrepreneurs build products, manage operations, and communicate value. You will participate in business planning exercises that push you to articulate your ideas clearly and refine them based on feedback. Competition opportunities give you a setting to test your work in front of external judges and see how your approach compares to other young entrepreneurs. Guest speakers introduce you to different areas of the business world, providing real examples of how companies grow and adapt.
7. USC Dornsife Young Researchers Program
Location: USC Dornsife, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in the Los Angeles, Lynwood, Compton, or Inglewood Unified School Districts (including charter schools)
The Young Researchers Program at USC is a six-week summer experience for rising high school seniors who want real exposure to university-level STEM research. Each student works one-on-one with a graduate mentor on a focused research project and wraps up the program by presenting their work at a public poster symposium. Weekly lunch seminars cover the practical side of preparing for college, scholarships, and STEM career paths. Students also get an off-campus field trip to Catalina Island and a tour of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This free program is aimed at supporting local students, especially those underrepresented in STEM, and building a long-term network for future academic and career growth.
8. USC Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement (AYA)
Location: USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 26 students
Dates: June 16 – July 3
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: high school students who live and attend high school in Los Angeles County
This free program for high school students in Los Angeles, California, gives you a close look at how media and civic engagement intersect, using college-level coursework as the foundation. You will spend your time breaking down how journalism, public speaking, multimedia production, and debate shape public dialogue. The program puts you in direct contact with scholars, journalists, and media makers who walk you through current communication practices. You also get structured support in writing and analytical thinking, which you’ll refine through regular assignments and workshops.
9. Pomona College Academy for Youth Success (PAYS)
Location: Pomona College, Claremont, CA (near LA County border)
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 90 students/cohort; 30 new students admitted annually
Dates: 4-week sessions, every year for 3 years
Application Deadline: February 23
Eligibility: 9th graders who live in Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, or Ventura County and who would be first-generation college students or are from low-income families.
PAYS structures its curriculum around college-level inquiry, and you rotate through seminars, writing-intensive courses, quantitative workshops, and collaborative projects. Throughout the summer, you will work directly with faculty and teaching assistants who will guide you through analytical writing, seminar discussions, and math problem-solving. The program also lets you participate in hands-on research, data exercises, and group work that push you beyond typical high school expectations. Support continues during the academic year through additional workshops and advising that focus on planning and preparation for college-level study.
10. Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program
Location: Various medical centers in Los Angeles/virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100–180 students
Dates: 1-, 2-, and 4-week sessions in the summer
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Current 11th and 12th-graders from Los Angeles and its adjacent counties. Specific facilities may have additional eligibility requirements
This program gives you structured exposure to many branches of pediatric medicine through daily presentations and interactive sessions. You’ll hear directly from specialists such as surgeons, radiologists, infectious disease physicians, dietitians, and various therapists, which helps you understand how different roles function within a care team. In-person participants also observe how medical facilities operate, with activities that shift depending on the site. This free program for high school students in Los Angeles requires you to complete orientation steps and medical clearances, mirroring the onboarding process used in real clinical environments.
11. Cal State L.A. Upward Bound Programs (TRIO)
Location: California State University, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Low-income and/or first-generation college high school students from target schools, with demonstrated need for academic assistance, and who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
Upward Bound is a free program for high school students in Los Angeles, California, that takes an academic approach by offering structured instruction in subjects like math, science, literature, and foreign languages. You will work closely with an Academic Advisor who tracks your progress and helps you stay aligned with college-prep goals from the moment you join. The program also includes after-school study hall sessions at your school, where you will receive tutoring and guided support. On weekends, you attend Saturday Academy workshops at Cal State LA for additional instruction and enrichment.
12. CAMP CHLA - Health Care Career Exploration
Location: Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: June 16 – June 20; Session 2: July 28 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: High school freshmen, sophomores, or juniors within Los Angeles County
Camp CHLA introduces you to healthcare through direct interaction with professionals who break down their day-to-day responsibilities. You will move between presentations, demos, and hands-on activities that cover topics like CPR, preventive health, ergonomics, and basic medical skills. The camp also gives you opportunities to observe how different hospital teams operate and what goes into patient care. You will spend time connecting with peers interested in medical careers, as well as staff who can answer questions about specific roles. It’s one of the free programs for high school students in Los Angeles, California, that functions as an immersive look into healthcare fields.
13. UCLA Health Volunteen Summer Program
Location: UCLA Health facilities, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Minimum 50 hours by August 31
Application Deadline: Registration opens January 5
Eligibility: High school students who are 16+
In this program, you will step into hospital operations and rotate through roles that show how large healthcare systems function day to day. Patient Transport tasks help you understand workflow, communication, and clinical movement across departments. If you serve as a Wayfinder, you will practice front-facing communication while assisting visitors and navigating hospital layouts. Floater duties introduce you to behind-the-scenes routines like distributing materials and supporting administrative needs. The variety of assignments gives you a broader sense of how hospitals coordinate care through many interconnected roles.
14. Transportation Career Academy Program
Location: Downtown Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: Provided for students who complete all requirements
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors (16–18 years old) who depend on transit, live and attend school in LA County in close proximity to a Metro rail station, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better
This program places you inside a major public transportation agency to understand how large-scale transit systems operate. You will join a project team and connect classroom concepts to infrastructure-related work, giving you a clearer sense of where engineering, planning, or operations skills fit. Weekly in-person sessions guide you through industry topics, while virtual team meetings help you build project management habits. You will also receive mentorship from transportation professionals who show you how career paths branch within the field. The final project presentation gives you experience communicating technical or logistical ideas to an audience.
15. Ryman Arts
Location: California State University, Fullerton; California State University, San Bernardino; Otis College of Art and Design; University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~50%
Dates: Varies by session; you can find exact dates here
Application Deadline: Spring: December 3; Summer: March 25; Fall: May 13
Eligibility: High school students
This free program for high school students in Los Angeles, California, lets you work through advanced drawing and painting coursework designed to strengthen your technical foundation and help you build a polished portfolio. Classes are taught by professional artists, giving you regular critique and exposure to different approaches used in the art world. Studio projects push you to observe more closely, plan compositions, and translate real-life subjects into detailed work. You’ll also engage with workshops focused on college and career planning, and add context to how artistic skills translate beyond school. Exhibiting your work publicly introduces you to presentation, curation, and sharing your process with others.
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