15 Summer College Programs for High School Students in Florida
If you’re a high schooler looking to make the most of your summer, then a university-led program is worth exploring! Summer college programs for high school students can be a great way to expand your knowledge, learn about career paths, and build lasting connections. These programs give you access to advanced resources and facilities, expert mentorship, and projects in fields ranging from science and engineering to journalism and AI.
These programs are also designed to help you apply classroom concepts, develop critical thinking, and gain clarity about your academic and career interests. Florida is home to many universities offering such opportunities to high schoolers.
To help you get started, we have compiled a list of 15 summer college programs for high school students in Florida. The list covers opportunities in a wide range of disciplines.
1. Florida State University’s Young Scholars Program
Location: Florida State University campus, Tallahassee, FL
Cost: No cost
Dates: June 8 – July 19
Application deadline: February 15; applications open on January 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors living in Florida who have finished Pre-Calculus and have a minimum unweighted 3.0 GPA and a score in the top 90th percentile in standardized math/science exams
Florida State University's Young Scholars Program is a fully funded summer college program for high school students in Florida who are passionate about science, math, or computer science. Here, you will engage in specialized coursework and mentored research. You will take three custom-designed classes—ranging from neuroscience to quantum computing to game theory—and work two days a week with FSU faculty on a research project. The courses are neither high school nor college level; instead, they are crafted specifically for the program to challenge and prepare you for higher-level academic work. This program also offers access to extracurriculars, including field trips and social events.
2. Mayo Clinic SPARK Research Mentorship Program
Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
Cost: No cost
Dates: June 3 – December 2; with primary work commitment (25 hours/week) in summer and additional sessions during the school year
Application deadline: December 31; applications open on November 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in Duval or St. Johns counties in Florida with a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA
As a participant in the SPARK Research Mentorship Program, you will work in a research lab under the guidance of medical scientists. You will gain hands-on experience in areas like cancer biology, immunology, neuroscience, regenerative sciences, and artificial intelligence. During the program, you will engage in lab meetings, one-on-one sessions with your mentor, and a weekly Lunch and Learn series. You will also develop a highly competitive project that will be entered in a science fair and presented at the end of the program. Many students go on to win awards, honors, and prize dollars for their research and choose research-focused college programs. This summer college program for high school students in Florida can help you develop professional conduct and critical thinking, and get some exposure to the research process and the realities of scientific investigation.
3. University of Miami’s Summer Scholars Program
Location: University of Miami Coral Gables campus, Coral Gables, FL
Cost: Residential: $9,532 | Commuter: $8,144; financial aid available
Dates: June 28 – July 18
Application deadline: April 1; applications open on December 1
Eligibility: Students completing grades 10 or 11
At the University of Miami’s Summer Scholars Program, you will get to explore a specific academic area while earning six college credits alongside other motivated high school students. As a participant, you get to choose from a range of tracks such as Engineering, Business, Communication, or Medicine, and attend two college-level courses taught by university faculty. The experience extends beyond the classroom with lab work, field trips, and guest lectures designed to deepen your understanding of your chosen field. You will also get a taste of residential college life while connecting with peers from across the country and abroad. This summer college program for high school students in Florida also offers opportunities to engage in on-campus enrichment activities that help you familiarize yourself with campus life and develop time management skills.
4. University of Miami’s UM Academies
Location: University of Miami Coral Gables campus, Coral Gables, FL
Cost: Residential: $5,494 | Commuter: $4,605
Dates: June 28 – July 11
Application deadline: April 1; window opens on December 1
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 9–11
The UM Academies are two-week, non-credit courses that give you a chance to dive deep into a particular topic while living on the University of Miami campus. You will choose one academy, such as Shark Biology, Forensic Science, Entrepreneurship, or Atmospheric Science, and engage in experiential learning sessions every day. Outside of classes, you will be grouped into learning communities and paired with a mentor to get guidance throughout the program. You will participate in college prep workshops, attend admissions sessions, and engage in student-led activities like game nights and trivia. Field trips around South Florida, such as snorkeling or Everglades excursions, are part of your weekend schedule. This summer college program for high school students in Florida can help you experience academic learning as well as explore college life.
5. University of Central Florida Summer Institute: Computer Science Track
Location: University of Central Florida (UCF) campus, Orlando, FL
Cost: $1,250; scholarships available
Dates: June 9 – 27
Application deadline: April 18; applications open in mid-February
Eligibility: Students enrolled in grades 7–11 who are at least 13 by the start of the program
The UCF Summer Institute in Computer Science offers you a three-week opportunity to learn programming fundamentals and game development, with instruction tailored to your current skill level. Whether you are just getting started with Python or ready to tackle more complex topics like competitive programming, you will be placed in a track that aligns with your experience. Using tools like PyGame, you will build interactive games, simulate data, and explore algorithmic thinking. Sessions also include guest lectures from university researchers who introduce broader applications of computer science in both academia and industry. You will leave the program with detailed documentation of your academic performance.
6. UCF Summer Institute: Competitive Programming Track
Location: University of Central Florida campus, Orlando, FL
Cost: $2,750; scholarships available
Dates: July 13 – 25
Application deadline: April 18; applications open in mid-February
Eligibility: Students who are currently enrolled in grades 9–12 at the time of application and are at least 15 years old by the start of the program
UCF’s Competitive Programming Summer Institute helps you prepare for algorithm-based contests, such as the USA Computing Olympiad or Codeforces, through intensive practice and mentorship. Over two weeks, you will attend lectures on data structures and algorithms, followed by mock contests modeled after real programming competitions. The curriculum includes focused work on topics like greedy algorithms, string manipulation, and simulations, along with personalized coaching from UCF’s programming team. You will also spend time building a personal library of code to use in contests, practicing under timed conditions, and participating in group problem reviews to understand various strategies. Although primarily academic, the program incorporates social activities and promotes collaboration among participants who share similar goals.
7. UCF Summer Institute: Mathematical Exploration Track
Location: University of Central Florida campus
Cost: $275
Dates: July 21 – 25
Application deadline: April 18; applications open in mid-February
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in high school
If you are someone who enjoys solving puzzles, finding patterns, or asking “why” in math class, then UCF’s Mathematical Exploration Summer Institute provides a weeklong opportunity to go beyond what’s taught in school. You will work in small groups, attend faculty-led lectures, and engage in collaborative problem solving focused on topics rarely covered in a standard high school curriculum. The program is grounded in mathematical reasoning and argument building, encouraging you to explore the underlying logic and present your findings to peers. Faculty from UCF’s mathematics department will guide your exploration and offer opportunities to learn about tracks related to fields like biology, economics, engineering, and data science.
8. University of South Florida’s Summer Camps: High School CyberCon
Location: University of South Florida (USF) Tampa’s Muma College of Business, Tampa, FL
Cost: $450
Dates: July 21 – 25
Application deadline: Not specified; applications open on February 1
Eligibility: High school students from around the world
USF’s High School CyberCon is designed to reflect a professional conference, giving you the chance to study cybersecurity through a mix of workshops, panel discussions, and real-world simulations. During this five-day camp in Tampa, you will learn how operating systems, networks, and vulnerabilities intersect with critical infrastructure and artificial intelligence. You’ll also hear directly from professionals working at organizations like the FBI, Secret Service, Cisco, and ReliaQuest. The highlight of the week is a Capture the Flag (CTF) team competition, where you will apply what you’ve learned to solve technical challenges and earn points. Unlike traditional programs, this summer college program for high school students in Florida allows you to tailor your experience by choosing topics that align with your interests.
9. Pre-College Program at Eckerd: Marine Science
Location: Eckerd College campus, St. Petersburg, Florida
Cost: $2,100
Dates: Session One: June 8 – 13 | Session Two: June 15 – 20
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders who pass a swimming test
Eckerd College’s Pre-College Marine Science Program gives you direct access to coastal ecosystems as your classroom. For one week, you will work with faculty on a variety of field-based and lab activities that cover marine biology, chemistry, geology, and ecology. The program takes place on the Gulf of Mexico, so you will spend a lot of time on the water, collecting sediment cores, identifying marine invertebrates, and observing coastal wildlife behaviors. From deploying hydrophones to capture underwater sounds to sampling plankton and photographing dolphins, each day will involve hands-on activities. The experience is similar to Eckerd’s undergraduate coursework and is designed to reflect what life might be like as a marine science major.
10. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Online
Cost: $3,080
Dates: Session One: June 16 – 27 | Session Two: July 7 – 18
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school students in grades 8 – 11; courses may have specific academic prerequisites
Stanford’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes is an online learning experience where you will focus on one subject of interest for two weeks, attending a small, live virtual classroom. With over 70 course options, ranging from bioethics and business to philosophy and artificial intelligence, you can pick a course that aligns with your academic passions. Classes are ungraded, but the pace and content resemble college-level coursework designed and taught by Stanford instructors. Through discussions and project-based learning, you will explore complex topics, often going well beyond what is offered in a typical high school curriculum. Live sessions help maintain a sense of classroom community, while asynchronous assignments can offer you some flexibility in your daily schedule.
11. Summer Media Institute @ University of Florida
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Cost: Early bird: $949 | Regular: $999
Dates: June 22 – 27
Application deadline: Registration opens to SMI alumni on November 1 and new attendees on November 15
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders
Whether you're drawn to journalism, broadcasting, filmmaking, or digital content creation, the Summer Media Institute at UF covers different media from all angles. For six days, you will live and work like a communicator, choosing from professional-level specializations in anchoring, photojournalism, sports reporting, feature writing, and more. The program offers nightly electives on topics such as social media analytics, AI in publishing, and weathercasting. This is a hands-on workshop experience, complete with time in green-screen studios and newsrooms, that mirrors the pace and expectations of the industry. Beyond the classroom, you will engage in social activities each evening, from karaoke to scavenger hunts.
12. University of Florida’s Student Science Training Program (SSTP)
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Cost: $5,500 + $50 application fee
Dates: June 8 – July 26
Application deadline: April 15 (rolling)
Eligibility: Students entering senior year who are at least 16 years old by the program start date
As an SSTP participant, you will spend seven weeks living on the UF campus and working 30 hours a week in a real research lab alongside faculty and their teams. The program combines lab work with a daily interdisciplinary lecture series and a UF Honors seminar course, all of which challenge you to think critically and write, speak, and collaborate at a university level. You will engage with varied topics like nanotechnology, cancer biology, climate science, and bioethics. You will write a full scientific paper, present two oral talks, and deliver a research poster by the end of the program. Florida students also get to earn dual enrollment credit. Beyond academics, the environment is designed to foster personal growth through service, social events, and peer collaboration.
13. University of Florida’s Florida Youth Institute (FYI)
Location: Gainesville
Cost: $550 + $20 application fee; scholarships available
Dates: Session One: July 6 – 11 | Session Two: July 13 – 18
Application deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Students entering grades 11 and 12
At FYI, you will examine the world’s most pressing challenges like hunger, poverty, and sustainability, while exploring your interests in agriculture, natural sciences, or biological engineering. This one-week program focuses on topics in policy, research, and innovation, with support from UF faculty, the Florida Department of Agriculture, and the World Food Prize Foundation. You will write and present proposals to address real-world food security issues, tour labs, and meet changemakers across Florida. What makes this summer college program stand out is its blend of academic depth and real-world problem solving, while also offering opportunities to secure scholarships, internships, and future recognition as a Borlaug Scholar.
14. Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Online
Cost: $4,000; financial aid available
Dates: June 18 – July 2
Application deadline: January 24; applications open on December 9
Eligibility: Current 9th graders or rising 10th graders who will be over 14 by the start of the program
Stanford AI4ALL offers you the opportunity to explore AI through a social justice lens. This virtual, three-week summer experience is centered around cutting-edge research projects in fields such as computer vision, natural language processing, robotics, and medical AI. You won’t just attend virtual lectures—you will actively contribute to research guided by Stanford’s AI Lab and receive mentoring from professionals working to make AI more inclusive and ethical. Collaboration is key here, so you will find various opportunities to work with peers from around the world on research that tackles real-world problems. This virtual summer college program for high school students also focuses on developing your leadership and communication skills through workshops, discussions, and presentations.
15. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual projects available for Florida students
Cost: $25 application fee with need-based fee waivers available
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old
ASSIP offers virtual research internships in various fields, including chemistry, finance, math, bioengineering, statistics, computer science, and physics. You can choose a mentor offering a remote research format to engage in research and develop or refine scientific writing and communication skills over virtual sessions. You may also get to publish your work or present it at scientific conferences. During the program, you will learn about career paths in STEM while engaging in discussion forums led by professors, researchers, or professionals. The program ends with the annual ASSIP Research Symposium and Celebration.
If you are interested in building 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!
Image source - University of Florida