15 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Michigan
Summer programs can be a useful way for you to explore your academic interests before college while learning outside of your regular classes. They allow you to build skills, work through structured activities, and gain exposure to different fields through guided projects and mentorship. Many of these programs are free, making them more accessible while still allowing you to develop your interests and academic profile.
Why should you attend a summer program in Michigan?
Michigan is home to universities and organizations, such as the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, that offer a range of summer programs across various subject areas. Depending on the program, you might explore topics such as engineering, healthcare, or environmental science while participating in research, projects, or academic sessions. These opportunities can be worth considering, whether you are a local student looking for options nearby or an out-of-state student interested in exploring programs in a new academic environment.
To help you get started, here are 15 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Michigan.
If you’re looking for programs in Michigan, check out our blog here.
1. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Location: Varies by year; held in the past at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~100–160 students/year
Dates: June 21 – July 25
Application Deadline: December 3
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (rising juniors and seniors), ages 15 – 17
TASS is an academically rigorous summer program for high school students in Michigan, focused on humanities and social sciences. During the five-week residential program, you participate in discussion-based seminars that explore topics such as politics, literature, history, and systems of power. Instead of lectures, learning happens through conversation, collaborative inquiry, and peer engagement. You will also take part in shared governance activities where students help shape aspects of the program experience. This approach encourages responsibility, leadership, and community participation. Living on campus gives you a realistic preview of college-level academic expectations.
2. Veritas AI Scholars & AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: 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: Rolling. 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 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. Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship @ University of Michigan
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: None. A stipend of $3,000 is paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 6 – 10 interns/year
Dates: June 14 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors enrolled in Michigan high schools
Aspirnaut provides direct exposure to life sciences research inside a university laboratory environment. Over six weeks, you work full-time in a lab and contribute to ongoing research projects, helping collect and analyze scientific data. You also attend structured science communication sessions supported by the U-M Museum of Natural History. Outside of research hours, you live in residence halls and interact with students from other academic programs. The program concludes with a public presentation of your research findings. With only a small number of interns selected each year, this is one of the more selective free summer programs for high school students in Michigan focused on biomedical research.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic performance
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors 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. Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) @ Facility for Rare Isotope Beams
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 26 – 31
Application Deadline: March 5
Eligibility: U.S. high school students
PAN introduces you to nuclear physics concepts through hands-on activities connected to real research at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. Throughout the week, you explore how nuclear science relates to astrophysics and cosmology. Faculty and researchers guide experiments and demonstrations that show how fundamental scientific research is conducted. You will also learn about career paths in physics and related fields. The structured schedule includes both lab activities and academic discussions. For students interested in physics, this is one of the more specialized free summer programs for high school students in Michigan.
6. RYSE MED Program @ Henry Ford Health
Location: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 28 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 29
Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders aged 16 and older in Metro Detroit
RYSE MED combines healthcare exposure with research and mentorship opportunities. During the six-week summer component, you participate in workshops, clinical simulations, and research discussions at Henry Ford Hospital. You collaborate with peers to investigate health equity topics and create an infographic presenting your findings. Mentorship continues beyond summer through academic-year programming and enrichment sessions. You also explore career pathways in healthcare and medicine through guided sessions. This long-term support structure makes it a valuable option among free summer programs for high school students in Michigan interested in medicine.
7. Multicultural Apprenticeship Program (MAP) @ Michigan State University
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 5 – 31
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 and 11
MAP introduces you to research and academic pathways in agriculture, environmental science, and related STEM fields. You work with faculty mentors on projects related to topics like food science or forestry. The program includes field trips and leadership seminars that connect classroom knowledge with real-world applications. Living on campus allows you to experience college life while participating in academic activities. Collaborative projects encourage teamwork and problem-solving. This program stands out among free summer programs for high school students in Michigan because of its focus on applied STEM learning.
8. High School Summer Science Program @ Eastern Michigan University
Location: Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 8 – 12 students/year
Dates: June 22 – July 13
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Local high school students who have completed at least one science class
This program provides small-group research experience in subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics. Over three weeks, you work closely with faculty mentors and undergraduate researchers on scientific experiments. You learn how to document research processes and analyze data accurately. The program also introduces research ethics and lab safety practices. The experience concludes with a formal presentation of your findings. Because of its small cohort size, you get more direct mentorship compared to many free summer programs for high school students in Michigan.
9. University of Michigan Future Ready Scholars
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 5 – 17
Application Deadline: April 5
Eligibility: High school students in Southeast Michigan
Future Ready Scholars combines STEM exploration with college readiness preparation. During the two-week summer program, you work on projects using the Engineering Design Process to solve practical challenges. The program also includes sessions focused on SAT preparation, job shadowing, and career exploration. Learning continues throughout the academic year with Saturday sessions that build on summer experiences. You also develop teamwork and communication skills while working on projects. This makes it a structured and supportive option among free summer programs for high school students in Michigan.
10. Henry Ford Health Department of Surgery High School Mentorship Program
Location: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students/year
Dates: Summer internship between June and August
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Detroit-area high school students
This mentorship program introduces you to surgical and clinical environments through guided learning experiences. You attend sessions at the Surgical Simulation Suite, where you practice technical skills such as suturing and knot-tying. You also observe healthcare teams and interact with physicians and medical students. The program includes opportunities to learn about medical specialties and patient care processes. Selected participants can continue into a paid summer internship.
11. University of Michigan Harper Academy 4 Future Nuclear Engineers
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 31
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising 12th-grade Michigan residents
Harper Academy introduces you to nuclear engineering through structured academic and technical sessions. You attend math and science instruction, along with college-preparation workshops. The program includes visits to facilities like the Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory and the Fermi Nuclear Power Plant. You also participate in discussions about nuclear energy and its role in society. Some participants collaborate with faculty on research topics.
12. GM Student Corps
Location: Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: None. $15/hour stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 8 students per team
Dates: June 20 – August 10
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students from selected Michigan schools
GM Student Corps focuses on community-based projects and professional development. You work in teams to design and implement improvement projects such as sustainability initiatives or facility upgrades. The program includes workshops on financial literacy and workplace communication. Mentors guide you through planning and budgeting processes. The experience ends with a presentation to company leaders. It offers practical experience and exposure to teamwork through free summer programs for high school students in Michigan.
13. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: CLA offices in Michigan
Cost/Stipend: None. A stipend is paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 15 – July 16
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older and authorized to work in the U.S.
This internship introduces you to finance and accounting through real workplace exposure. You support teams with bookkeeping and data-related tasks. Job shadowing allows you to observe professionals working on client projects. You gain insight into how accounting firms operate and collaborate internally. The structured environment helps you understand workplace expectations. It is a practical addition to free summer programs for high school students in Michigan interested in business careers.
14. 826michigan Ann Arbor Teen Leadership Lab
Location: Ann Arbor District Library, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: None. Stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 8 – August 12
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students who completed grades 9 – 12
This program focuses on writing mentorship and leadership development. You guide younger students through brainstorming and revising writing projects. Weekly sessions include structured reflection and skill-building exercises. You also receive support for developing your own writing. Collaboration with peers helps you improve communication skills.
15. Kode With Klossy Summer Camps
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer (two weeks)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Young women and gender-expansive students ages 13 – 18
Kode With Klossy introduces you to coding through project-based learning. You build websites, apps, or machine learning models depending on your selected track. Mentors guide you through coding exercises and collaborative activities. The program includes talks from women working in technology. You gain exposure to real applications of programming skills. It complements free summer programs for high school students in Michigan interested in technology pathways.