15 Best Finance Summer Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in finance, summer programs can be a valuable way to explore the field beyond textbooks. Finance programs often combine foundational concepts like investing, markets, and economics with mentorship from industry professionals or university faculty, helping you build both practical skills and a practical perspective. As a participant, you may analyze case studies, simulate trading strategies, and learn how financial decisions impact businesses and economies.
What are the benefits of a finance program?
Finance programs allow you to build a stronger understanding of how markets, investing, and economic systems work while developing skills in analysis and decision-making. You will analyze case studies, simulate financial strategies, or explore topics such as corporate finance and investing through structured activities. These experiences can help you develop practical knowledge and better understand how financial concepts apply to different careers and industries.
To help you get started, we’ve put together the 15 best finance summer programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. University of Houston EXPLORE Financial Empowerment Institute
Location: University of Houston, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 12 – 17
Application Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: Current 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th graders
The Accelerated Career Awareness Program (ACAP) at the University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business is a week-long residential summer program designed to introduce high school students to careers in finance, accounting, and business. Hosted in partnership with NABA Inc., the program combines classroom instruction with practical activities that explore topics such as financial analysis, entrepreneurship, and corporate decision-making. During the program, you participate in workshops, case studies, and team-based projects that simulate real-world business scenarios.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 10-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Rolling. You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students with previous experience in AI/ML or who have completed the Veritas AI program
Veritas AI is an AI program for ambitious high school students, founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Through the AI + Finance Deep Dive, students gain a deeper understanding of AI applications in finance. They get a chance to engage in lectures, code walkthroughs, and real-world projects involving AI & ML models to predict future financial patterns from past data, forecast stock prices, and more.
3. Federal Reserve Bank of Boston: TIP Internship
Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Boston Public School rising juniors to seniors
The Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) Program at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston is a paid internship designed to provide high school students with hands-on professional experience in a range of departments, including communications, finance, and technology. Through the program, you are placed within the Bank and work alongside professionals on real projects, gaining exposure to day-to-day operations in a major financial institution. In addition to work experience, the program includes structured enrichment sessions focused on financial literacy, workplace readiness, and career development.
4. Ladder Internships Finance Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
Through the Ladder Internships program, you’ll be matched with startups across industries like finance, marketing, and technology for a remote internship experience. You’ll work on meaningful tasks such as creating pitch decks, conducting market research, and performing financial analysis. Along the way, you’ll collaborate closely with startup managers and a Ladder Coach, building solutions and presenting your final work to company leaders. The program typically runs for 8–12 weeks with a flexible commitment of 10–20 hours per week, and many participating startups are high-growth, venture-backed companies, offering insight into fast-paced professional environments.
5. KPMG Future Leaders Program
Location: Various KPMG locations
Stipend: $10,000/year scholarship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 22 students
Dates: Summer before college (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school senior girls
The KPMG Future Leaders Program is a prestigious scholarship and leadership development initiative designed to support high-achieving female high school seniors pursuing careers in business or STEM. Selected students receive a renewable $10,000 annual scholarship along with access to mentorship from senior women leaders and ongoing professional development opportunities. A key component of the program is a fully funded leadership retreat, where you engage in workshops on career readiness, leadership skills, and personal growth. Throughout the program, you are paired with a mentor who provides guidance during your transition to college and early career planning.
6. JP Morgan & Chase High School Internship
Location: Various locations
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Typically 6–12 weeks (summer internships); shorter school programs are also available
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High school students in New York City
JPMorgan Chase offers a range of early-career programs and internships across finance, technology, and business operations, with some opportunities available to high school students in select locations. Depending on the program, you may work on real-world projects such as financial analysis, software development, or business strategy alongside experienced professionals. Many roles are team-based and involve contributing to live projects, giving you exposure to how a global financial institution operates. In addition to hands-on work, the programs often include training sessions, mentorship, and networking opportunities with industry professionals.
7. U.S. Treasury: Headquarters Student Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer (May – August)
Application Deadline: December (Summer)
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in or accepted at a U.S.-accredited institution
The Headquarters Student Internship Program at the U.S. Department of the Treasury offers high school students the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in federal finance and economic policy. During the internship, you may work within departments such as Public Affairs, Legislative Affairs, or Financial Management, contributing to research, data analysis, and administrative projects that support the Treasury’s mission. The program provides exposure to how national financial policies are developed and implemented, giving you insight into areas like economic strategy, public finance, and government operations
8. Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP)
Location: Kansas City, MO
Stipend: Paid ($12–14/hour) + $2,500 scholarship upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 2 – 27 | July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors residing in Kansas City or Columbus
The Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP KC) is a competitive summer internship that places high school students in startup companies across Kansas City, offering hands-on experience in business, marketing, finance, and media-related roles. During the program, you are matched with a high-growth company where you contribute to real projects, often working across functions such as content creation, digital marketing, or product development. The experience emphasizes entrepreneurial thinking, with additional exposure through weekly company visits and networking sessions with industry professionals.
9. Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI)
Location: Chicago, IL (in-person internship placements across partner organizations)
Stipend: Paid internship (students receive compensation during the program)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive with a selective cohort of high school students across Chicago
Dates: Approximately 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Applications open February 1 and close March 31
Eligibility: Chicago residents in grades 10–11 with a minimum 3.0 GPA and household income below $80,000
The Chicago Summer Business Institute places high school students in paid internships that provide early exposure to careers in finance and professional services. Participants work at partner firms across the city, completing real workplace tasks while developing skills in communication, organization, and professionalism. Alongside the internship, students attend workshops, speaker sessions, and site visits that introduce them to different areas of business and leadership. The program combines hands-on work experience with structured career exploration, helping students build confidence and better understand pathways in the business world.
10. Business Leadership Program (University of Colorado Boulder)
Location: University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
Cost/Stipend: Free (tuition fully covered by the Leeds School of Business and corporate partners)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive with a limited cohort selected each year
Dates: June 21 – June 27
Application Deadline: Applications open December 1 and close March 13
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are Colorado residents or attend a Colorado high school
The Business Leadership Program is a one-week residential experience where high school students explore business through hands-on case challenges and team-based projects. Participants work in groups to develop solutions to real-world business problems, often designing marketing strategies for corporate partners such as EY or Deloitte. The program includes mentorship from faculty, staff, and industry professionals, giving students insight into business careers and leadership pathways. Students present their final solutions in a case competition, building both practical business skills and confidence in communication and teamwork.
11. NAIOP-Drexel Summer Real Estate Program
Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Full scholarships are provided to all accepted students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive with a selective cohort (typically ~30 students)
Dates: July 12 – July 21
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors, particularly first-generation or low-income students with an interest in commercial real estate
The NAIOP-Drexel Summer Real Estate Program is a 10-day residential experience that introduces high school students to careers in commercial real estate through structured academic and industry exposure. Participants explore development, construction, finance, and urban planning while working on case studies and team-based projects guided by Drexel faculty and industry professionals. The program includes site visits to major real estate projects in Philadelphia and interactions with executives, helping students connect classroom concepts to real-world applications. Through collaborative work and presentations, students build foundational business knowledge while gaining insight into how large-scale real estate projects are planned and executed.
12. Future Leaders Initiative (FLI) – UC Irvine
Location: University of California, Irvine, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive with a selective cohort of students from Southern California
Dates: July 27 – August 1
Application Deadline: Applications close April 6
Eligibility: High school and first-year community college students from Southern California, particularly from underserved backgrounds
The Future Leaders Initiative (FLI) at UC Irvine is a week-long program that introduces students to careers at the intersection of business, technology, and entrepreneurship. Participants attend full-day sessions led by faculty and industry professionals, exploring topics such as leadership, venture capital, digital transformation, and financial literacy. The program also includes company visits and interactions with executives, giving students direct exposure to how organizations operate and make decisions. Through structured sessions and mentorship, students build foundational business knowledge while developing confidence and clarity around future academic and career pathways.
13. Save It Forward Summer Financial Literacy Program (LMU)
Location: Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free to attend (fully funded program)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots per session; registration-based enrollment
Dates: Session 1: June 15–June 19 | Session 2: June 22–June 26 | Session 3: July 6–July 10 | Session 4: July 13–July 17
Application Deadline: Registration open until sessions fill
Eligibility: Middle and high school students interested in financial literacy
The Save It Forward Summer Financial Literacy Program at LMU introduces students to essential money management skills through structured, hands-on workshops and guided activities. Participants learn topics such as budgeting, saving, investing, credit, and major financial decisions, applying these concepts through case studies and real-world scenarios. The program also includes mentorship from LMU students, giving participants insight into college life while building practical financial habits. Through interactive sessions and collaborative exercises, students develop a strong foundation in financial decision-making and gain confidence in managing personal finances.
14. Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute (KWLI)
Location: Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, and virtual options available
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective with limited seats available
Dates: April 22–April 29 (virtual sessions) and June 12, June 26, July 10, July 24 (in-person single-day sessions)
Application Deadline: Applications open January 5 and close March 20
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.5
The Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute is a short-term pre-college program that introduces high school students to business and leadership through faculty-led sessions and case-based learning. Participants attend lectures from Kelley School of Business professors, explore real-world business challenges, and build communication and leadership skills through structured activities. The program also emphasizes peer interaction, allowing students to collaborate with others who share an interest in business and career development. Through these sessions, students gain a clearer understanding of business pathways and how leadership skills can be applied across different industries.
15. Wharton Global Youth Program: Essentials of Finance
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $8,299 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions between June and August
Application Deadline: January 28 (priority) | March 18 (final)
Eligibility: High school students in Grades 9–11
The Essentials of Finance program by Wharton Global Youth is an intensive, two-week summer experience that introduces high school students to the core principles of finance. Through lectures, case studies, and group activities, you explore topics such as the time value of money, risk and return, corporate finance, and accounting. The program goes beyond basic investing, covering areas like venture capital, corporate valuation, and alternative investments to give you a broader view of the financial world. You learn directly from Wharton faculty and instructors, gaining exposure to the rigor of an Ivy League business curriculum.
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