8 Free Summer Residential Programs for High School Students
Free summer programs, particularly residential ones, for high school students are a great way to explore new subjects, build skills, and even experience college life—without the high cost of typical pre-college programs. Many summer residential programs are hosted by top universities and usually combine challenging coursework with hands-on projects, mentorship, and give you the chance to connect with like-minded peers.
These free summer residential programs are designed to help you explore potential majors or career paths while removing financial barriers that might otherwise limit access. If you're looking for a summer experience that’s both rigorous and rewarding, this list of 8 free residential programs is a great place to start.
1. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Program dates: June 22 – August 7
Application deadline: February 24
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 17 years old and are going to graduate in the current or the next year
At the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University, students engage in a one-on-one research experience for seven weeks, guided by faculty from diverse fields such as sciences, engineering, humanities, and fine arts. This program admits only 12 high-achieving participants each year. Selection occurs through a competitive process that considers academic performance, recommendations, and your declared career goals.
As a participant, you will work alongside researchers at the general academic campus or Health Sciences Center, engaging in projects tailored to your academic interests. In addition, you'll also take part in weekly seminars, academic discussions, and organized field trips. Room, board, and weekend activities are fully covered, and upon completing a formal research report, you’ll receive a $750 stipend.
2. Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Program dates: July 24 – August 3
Application deadline: February 24
Eligibility: High school juniors from low-income backgrounds with an interest in journalism and specific academic and income criteria.
If you're a high school junior wishing to study journalism and how media intersects with social and political issues, the Princeton Summer Journalism Program provides a free, year-long college preparation experience that begins with a hybrid summer intensive. In July, you will participate in online workshops and lectures led by professional journalists, keep up with weekly current events readings, and begin drafting your own articles. You will also start working on your college applications with guidance from a personal advisor.
The experience concludes in a 10-day residential program on Princeton’s campus, where you'll take part in in-person seminars, field reporting, and media tours of major news outlets like The New York Times. You'll cover local events, attend cultural productions, conduct investigative reporting, and collaborate with peers to publish The Princeton Summer Journal.
3. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Program dates: June 22 – August 2
Application deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors worldwide
The Research Science Institute enables students to spend six intensive weeks at MIT, engaging in original scientific research under the mentorship of leading scientists and academics. The program begins with a week of seminars introducing advanced topics in fields such as biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics, and the humanities. By the end of the first week, you’ll be assigned a research project and begin diving into technical literature to prepare for hands-on lab work.
From weeks two to five, you'll join a research lab full-time, using MIT’s computing resources to analyze data, model systems, and begin drafting your findings. The final week is dedicated to preparing a research paper and delivering a conference-style presentation. In addition to the research, the free summer program for high school students also includes field trips and cultural excursions around Boston.
4. ARISE Program
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Program dates: June 2 – August 8
Application deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are New York residents
For those seeking a competitive residential program in New York, the ARISE program at NYU offers a 10-week summer research experience that combines academics with direct lab involvement. Participants begin this free summer program for high school students with four weeks of structured training that covers lab safety, scientific writing, and foundational research skills to prepare you for work in a real lab setting.
After this phase, you will join one of over 80 NYU research labs, where you'll spend around 120 hours contributing to active STEM projects alongside faculty and graduate researchers. Topics vary by lab but may include fields such as biomedical engineering, robotics, computer science, environmental science, and others.
You will develop communication and presentation skills by preparing a research talk for a closing colloquium and designing a poster for the final symposium at the American Museum of Natural History. Participants earn a $1,000 stipend with opportunities to continue research beyond the summer.
5. Carnegie Mellon University’s AI Scholars
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Program dates: June 21 – July 19
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who are 16 or older and are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or registered with DACA
Carnegie Mellon’s AI Scholars program is a good choice if you wish to explore artificial intelligence through both academic coursework and practical application. Over four weeks on CMU’s Pittsburgh campus, students take college-level classes taught by university faculty, join discussions on ethics and equity in STEM, and engage in daily workshops that introduce core concepts in computing and AI.
A major component of the program is the group research project, where you and your peers will design and present an AI-based solution to a real-world issue. The schedule includes lectures, lab work, and industry talks with professionals from leading tech companies. You will also attend college readiness seminars that cover topics like financial aid and application strategy while living on campus as a college student.
6. New Jersey Scholars Program (NJSP)
Location: The Lawrenceville School, Lawrenceville, NJ
Program dates: June 29 – August 1
Application deadline: January 17
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors residing in New Jersey
The New Jersey Scholars Program is a five-week, fully residential summer experience for rising seniors, hosted at the Lawrenceville School. As a Scholar, you will delve into a comprehensive interdisciplinary curriculum focused on an annual theme, like the 2025 topic, Wartime Cultures: Knowledge and Art in Conflict and the Aftermath, through lectures, seminar discussions, and thorough readings.
Expect to actively contribute in class, conduct original research with university resources, and collaborate with faculty to write a 10–15 page paper synthesizing ideas from history, literature, science, art, and philosophy. The free summer program for high school students culminates in an Arts Festival where you'll present work in music, drama, writing, or visual art inspired by the academic theme.
7. Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Program dates:
Virtual Jumpstart: June 16 – 17
In-person: June 21 – August 2
Application deadline: Preferred deadline: February 1 | Final deadline: March 1.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents in grade 11 who are age 16 by program start date
For those from underrepresented backgrounds with a strong interest in STEM, the Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) at Carnegie Mellon University offers a six-week program that combines coursework, research, and college preparation. Before arriving on campus, you will complete a virtual Jumpstart session to build foundational skills.
When attending in person, your schedule will feature rigorous seminars in math and science, practical STEM research overseen by faculty or graduate mentors, and writing workshops focused on college applications. A key component of the program is the “Student to Scholar” course, which encourages you to reflect on your goals and identity as you prepare for college.
Group mentoring, collaborative tutoring, and academic coaching are offered throughout the program, culminating in a symposium where you'll present your research to peers, faculty, and family.
8. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Location: Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) and University of Maryland (College Park, MD)
Program dates: June 22 – July 26
Application deadline: December 3
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (ages 15–18), with an emphasis on Black, Indigenous, and underrepresented communities. Both U.S. and international students may apply.
If you're more drawn to the humanities or social sciences than to STEM, the Telluride Association Summer Seminar might align well with your interests. This free summer program for high school sophomores and juniors offers intensive seminars in Critical Black Studies or Anti-Oppressive Studies.
Through daily college-level classes, you will examine historical and contemporary issues of race, power, identity, and justice by analyzing literature, art, political theory, and cultural criticism. You’ll write essays, participate in public speaking, attend lectures, and contribute to group discussions guided by university faculty and trained mentors.
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
With Veritas AI, which was founded by Harvard graduate students, you can work 1-on-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here!
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