13 Finance Programs for High School Students in Georgia
Finance programs can give high school students early exposure to how money, markets, and businesses function. Instead of learning only through textbooks, you analyze financial concepts such as investing, budgeting, risk management, and entrepreneurship in structured academic or applied settings. Many finance programs also introduce you to tools such as data analysis platforms, trading simulations, and case-based problem-solving. Through internships, competitions, and short-term intensives, you can build practical skills in communication, quantitative reasoning, and decision-making.
Why should you attend a program in Georgia?
With major corporations, startups, and public institutions operating across Georgia, you can observe how financial decision-making functions in both private and public sectors. Universities in Georgia host pre-collegiate finance programs that mirror aspects of undergraduate coursework, while local organizations provide structured mentorship and experiential learning. The state also hosts events and national competitions that allow you to apply financial concepts in team-based settings.
We’ve put together a list of 13 finance programs for high school students in Georgia.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. Veritas AI: AI+Finance Deep Dive
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Veritas AI’s AI+Finance Deep Dive examines how artificial intelligence tools are applied within financial markets. In the first phase, you review core concepts connecting machine learning and finance before moving into technical topics such as exploratory data analysis, regression models, and convolutional neural networks. The structure gradually shifts from guided instruction to more advanced analytical applications. You’ll get to interpret financial datasets and evaluate modeling approaches used in industry settings. During the final weeks, you collaborate in a small group to apply these techniques to a focused problem. The primary outcome is a completed project that integrates AI methods with financial analysis.
2. ACAP (Accounting Career Awareness Program)
Location: Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer residency + year-round support
Application Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 2.0 GPA (2.5 for juniors and seniors)
The Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP), organized by NABA Inc., introduces high school students to accounting, finance, and related business fields through structured programming. You participate in workshops, case studies, and collaborative projects that emphasize financial fluency and analytical thinking. Industry professionals lead sessions on topics such as emerging technology in finance and professional skill development. The program also incorporates behind-the-scenes exposure to accounting firms and corporate environments, offering insight into day-to-day operations. You also get year-round support, including webinars, mentorship, and structured networking opportunities.
3. Ladder University: Finance Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder University places you in an eight-week internship with a startup company. The structure follows a staged deliverable model: you define a project, develop drafts, and present completed work to company leadership. Over the course of the internship, you dedicate several hours each week to applied tasks connected to business and financial operations. Regular meetings with a company coach and mentor help guide revisions and performance expectations. The final week centers on presenting your completed project and reflecting on measurable outcomes.
4. Empower Gwinnett Government Internship Program
Location: Gwinnett County, GA
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 4 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: March 16
Eligibility: Youth aged 15-21
The Empower Gwinnett Government Internship Program places youth in short-term roles within county government departments. Over four weeks, you participate in workshops and on-the-job assignments designed to build professional and leadership skills. Responsibilities vary by placement and may include administrative, operational, or analytical tasks. The program structure combines supervised work experience with guided training sessions. For students in Georgia interested in civic systems or public-sector finance, the internship offers structured exposure to government operations.
5. UGA Summer Launch Program
Location: University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Stipend: 5,000 in funding (+ potential to pitch for an additional $5,000 at the end)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Tuesdays from June 23 to August 4
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Teams that went through the UGA Idea Accelerator or student teams looking to actively launch their business between semesters
The UGA Summer Launch Program extends venture development beyond the initial accelerator stage. Teams meet weekly to address operational obstacles, revenue generation strategies, and growth planning. You engage directly with experienced entrepreneurs to refine budgeting decisions and track business performance. This Georgia finance program centers on execution, requiring you to actively test and launch your model between academic terms. Throughout the program, you prepare for a structured Demo Day presentation. The experience culminates in a formal pitch where you present measurable progress and financial outcomes.
6. The National Personal Finance Challenge
Location: Nationwide; finals held in Atlanta, GA
Stipend: Cash prizes up to $2,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Teams of 3 or 4 members; 16 teams advance to finals
Dates: March 2 – 11 (online testing); May 31 – June 1 (finals)
Application Deadline: March 11
Eligibility: High school students
The National Personal Finance Challenge is a team-based academic competition focused on core financial literacy concepts. You begin with an online assessment covering earning income, spending, saving, investing, managing credit, and managing risk. Teams advancing to later rounds apply these concepts by constructing a financial plan for a simulated family scenario. Finalists participate in a Quiz Bowl-style competition that tests applied knowledge under timed conditions. Topics include compound interest, credit scores, insurance, taxation, and the relationship between risk and return.
7. UGA Idea Accelerator
Location: University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Stipend: $2,500 prize money
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Two 4-week sessions in spring and fall each
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students with an idea or who are ready to start/expand their business
The UGA Idea Accelerator is a short-term business boot camp designed for students developing an early-stage venture. Over four weeks, you work through structured rounds that focus on customer discovery, financial literacy, and investor readiness. As part of this finance program in Georgia, you track key performance indicators and receive direct feedback from entrepreneurs, advisors, and investors. Weekly meetings emphasize refining your revenue model, identifying when to pivot, and strengthening strategic planning. The program concludes with a formal pitch presentation evaluated by a panel of judges.
8. Wall Street on West Peachtree
Location: Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 1-week camp
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Wall Street on West Peachtree is a one-week finance program that introduces high school students to personal finance, investing, hedging, and trading. You begin with money management fundamentals, including taxes, debt avoidance, and long-term wealth planning. The investing and hedging modules cover strategies used in financial markets, including the role of derivatives such as puts, calls, futures, and forwards. During the trading segment, you learn how to read charts, place different types of orders, and understand how major markets operate. Throughout the week, you construct and analyze your own portfolio using trading and analytical tools. Performance is evaluated using industry-standard measures, and you present your portfolio findings at the end of the program.
9. UGA Accelerated Business Program
Location: University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Cost: $395
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 7 – 10
Application Deadline: March 26
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The UGA Accelerated Business Program provides high school students with a structured overview of multiple business disciplines. Through lectures and discussions led by university faculty, you examine topics connected to finance, management, and high-demand career paths. The program also incorporates sessions with executives from established organizations, offering insights into professional expectations and industry trends. As part of this Georgia-based pre-collegiate experience, you engage with case-based learning and structured academic content.
10. 21st Century Leaders Summer Youth Leadership Institute
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $495 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 75 students
Dates: May 31 – June 5
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising sophomores to seniors in Georgia
The 21st Century Leaders Summer Youth Leadership Institute (SYLI@Goizueta) is a week-long program centered on business and entrepreneurship. Each day focuses on a different industry area, explored through interactive workshops and structured discussions. You engage in problem-solving exercises, leadership development sessions, and conversations with corporate professionals. The program emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and understanding how businesses operate across sectors. While broader than a traditional finance program, the institute incorporates business strategy and leadership principles relevant to high school students considering future roles in finance or entrepreneurship.
11. Finance Institute: Wall Street in the Classroom
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1300
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Weeklong sessions in June and July
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-12
Wall Street in the Classroom is a one-week finance program designed to introduce high school students to core financial concepts. You study economic fundamentals, the time value of money, and the structure of financial markets before moving into applications such as personal finance and investment analysis. Coursework covers stocks, bonds, monetary policy, and asset allocation, as well as discussions of hedge funds, private equity, and cryptocurrency. Class sessions incorporate discussion-based learning and interaction with guest speakers from the finance industry. The curriculum also addresses risk management theory and portfolio construction principles.
12. Wharton Global Youth Online Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Sessions across June and July
Application Deadline: March 18
Eligibility: High school students
Wharton Global Youth Online Programs offer virtual pre-collegiate coursework in business and finance-related subjects. You can enroll in options such as Financial Decision Making, which examines economics and foundational financial principles, or Understanding Your Money, which focuses on investing and basic money management. Other courses, including Moneyball formats, integrate statistics and coding with applied problem-solving. Programs are led by Wharton faculty and instructional staff and emphasize structured discussion, simulations, and project-based learning. For high school students exploring finance programs beyond Georgia, these online offerings provide virtual exposure to business education.
13. Columbia University Pre-College Programs: Online Summer
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,017 (2 weeks) | $2,867 (1 week)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 1- and 2-week sessions during June and July
Application Deadline: April 2
Eligibility: High school students
Columbia University’s Online Summer Pre-College Programs include courses in business, economics, and entrepreneurship. You attend virtual class sessions featuring discussions, simulations, and individual or group projects designed to strengthen analytical skills. Finance-related offerings explore subjects such as alternative investing, financial market cycles, blockchain, and entrepreneurial finance. Instruction is delivered through a structured online platform that incorporates academic coursework and student development workshops. Course lengths vary, allowing you to complete focused short-term study or a longer two-week format.
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