15 Business Summer Programs for Low-Income High School Students
If you’re considering a future in business, finance, or entrepreneurship, a business summer program can give you a head start in ways a classroom alone cannot.
What do business summer programs look like?
You will analyze market trends, develop a business idea, and work through real-world challenges. This hands-on experience helps you understand what genuinely interests you and what doesn’t. It also shows you how classroom concepts connect to everyday business situations.
How can it be helpful to participate in business summer programs as a low-income student?
Summer programs offer actual responsibilities, industry exposure, and the opportunity to build professional skills. Most are supported by colleges and well-known organizations, making them credible and accessible choices. Some programs even offer stipends or other compensation, which reduces financial pressure while allowing you to focus on learning.
To figure out different ways you can fund your high school business, you can check here, or go here to understand different ways you can get a business education in high school.
To help you get started, we have selected the top 15 business summer programs for low-income high school students.
15 Business Summer Programs for Low-Income High School Students
1. Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute (KWLI)
Location: Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, or virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Virtual (April 22 & 29); in-person (June 12, June 26, July 10, July 24)
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
This business summer program for low-income high school students provides an opportunity to take part in interactive workshops and discussions led by Kelley School of Business faculty at Indiana University, Bloomington. A central part of the experience is working on a real-world business case project. As you analyze challenges and develop solutions, you'll strengthen your problem-solving and communication skills, abilities that matter in any business career. Throughout the program, you will engage with current Kelley students and alumni who share their academic journeys and career paths. In-person sessions are held on Indiana University’s Bloomington campus, with virtual options available on select dates. Along the way, you'll collaborate with peers who share an interest in business and leadership.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: 100% remote
Cost/Stipend: Applies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Various cohorts, including summer, spring, fall and winter
Application Deadline: Based on your cohort
Eligibility: High school students
This program will place you inside a virtual incubator built specifically for high school founders eager to bring their ideas to life. Rather than just learning about startups, you'll work on building a real venture from idea to launch. You will participate in live workshops, collaborate on group projects, and attend mentor sessions with experienced entrepreneurs who provide practical feedback. The curriculum blends business fundamentals with hands-on work in market research, prototyping, and pitch preparation, giving you practical skills in startup planning, teamwork, and communication. You will collaborate with peers in small teams and receive guidance on refining your product and strategy.
3. Business Leadership Program
Location: University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado
Cost/Stipend: Free; None
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 21-27
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Colorado resident or currently attending a Colorado high school; current high school juniors
In this business summer program for low-income high school students, you will work in teams on a real case challenge that focuses on solving business problems. You and your team will create and present a marketing campaign for corporate partners, thereby developing your teamwork, marketing, and strategic thinking skills. Faculty, staff, and business leaders will mentor you throughout the process, offering insights into how business decisions are made in companies. At the conclusion of the program, teams compete for top honors, and the winning group can earn a $1,000 scholarship to the Leeds School of Business.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost/Stipend: Applies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students who want meaningful, real-world experiences! Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech, and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. Many of Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies, often having raised over a million dollars in funding. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, entrepreneurs who have raised over 30 million dollars, and those who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. As an intern, you'll work closely with your startup managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present your work directly to the company leadership.
5. Summer Venture in Business
Location: University of Kansas School of Business
Cost/Stipend: $50 participation fee; None
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 19–24
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: Rising 11th- and 12th-grade students with a 3.4+ high school GPA. Priority is given to students who would be the first in their family to attend college, or are first-generation college students, or are currently attending Title I schools, or are currently attending rural schools
In the Summer Venture in Business, you will attend a week-long pre-college program that introduces you to business topics and college life at KU’s School of Business. You will attend academic sessions with faculty and join workshops with campus partners, gaining exposure to different areas of business study. The program may also include corporate-sponsored visits to industry sites and conversations with current students and alumni who share their academic and career journeys. Beyond the classroom, the staff will lead evening activities and campus tours to broaden your experience of university life. You will live on campus in a residence hall and eat in dining facilities during the program, giving you a realistic preview of what it's like to be a college student.
6. Summer Programs by Texas McCombs
Location: The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
Cost/Stipend: Free; None
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 31–June 5, June 14–18, June 21–26
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Current or rising junior and senior high school students
The McCombs School of Business Summer Programs at the University of Texas, Austin offers high school students a variety of week-long business-focused experiences on campus. Each track introduces you to key areas such as business strategy, leadership, and accounting through interactive, hands-on workshops. You will work in teams, take part in case competitions, and engage directly with faculty and corporate guests who share real-world insights. Along the way, current UT student leaders will help you navigate projects, build professional skills, and better understand college life. Beyond academics, you will live on campus, join networking events, and gain insights into business careers. The program also includes keynote lectures and interactive sessions, giving you opportunities to make connections with peers from around the country.
7. Think Like an Entrepreneur Summer Academy (TLAE)
Location: Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey
Cost/Stipend: Free; None
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Limited
Dates: June 23-26
Application Deadline: May 18
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
In Think Like an Entrepreneur Summer Academy (TLAE), you will spend two weeks on Rowan University’s campus learning how to turn ideas into viable business concepts. You will work in teams to develop a venture from the ground up, with faculty and mentors guiding you through customer discovery, market research, and pitching. You will also take part in hands-on workshops and structured activities that strengthen your leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. The program concludes with a final pitch presentation, where you showcase your idea and demonstrate how your team transformed a problem into a potential venture.
8. Caminos al Futuro
Location: The George Washington University, Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; None
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22-July 10
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising senior at a U.S. high school and have finished their junior year (11th grade) by Summer; will be under 18 years old by the end of the program on July 10
This three-week business summer program for low-income high school students, held at the George Washington University, is focused on college preparation and leadership development. You will attend academic workshops led by George Washington faculty and staff, exploring themes connected with Latino history, public policy, and civic engagement. You will work in groups on projects that build your research, writing, and presentation skills. Mentors will guide you through discussions about college access and career planning, offering practical insights along the way. You will also explore campus resources and connect with peers who share similar goals. Overall, the program will help you strengthen academic confidence while preparing for college in a supportive university setting.
9. Summer Venture in Management
Location: Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: Free; None
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 14-17
Application Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: Must be a junior or senior
The Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP) provides an opportunity for high school students to spend a week on the Harvard Business School campus, experiencing MBA-style learning through the case method. You will analyze real business cases and join classroom discussions led by HBS faculty. You will work closely with peers from diverse backgrounds and build skills in leadership, communication, and problem-solving. Beyond the classroom, you will connect with MBA students, alumni, and admissions staff who share insights about graduate business education and career pathways in management. The program also covers housing and travel support, making participation more accessible. Overall, SVMP gives you early exposure to MBA-level academics while helping you explore pathways in management and business leadership in a structured, collaborative setting.
10. NFTE Pathway Program: BizCamp™
Location: Multiple U.S. cities
Cost/Stipend: Free; None
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by region
Application Deadline: Varies by region
Eligibility: Grades 6-12
In the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) BizCamp™, you will spend the summer turning your ideas into a real business concept through structured lessons and activities. You will identify a problem, test potential solutions, and shape a workable business model. Along the way, instructors and volunteer business mentors will guide you as you research customers, calculate costs, and design a marketing plan. A key part of the experience is learning to pitch your idea clearly and confidently. You may even present it in a competition setting, gaining valuable feedback from professionals. The BizCamp helps you build skills in financial literacy, public speaking, teamwork, and critical thinking. You will also connect with other young entrepreneurs and receive feedback from professionals as you develop your venture.
11. Business Emerging Leaders (BEL) Scholarship Program
Location: Wisconsin School of Business, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
Cost/Stipend: Free; once selected, receive at least $10,000 per year for four years (eight semesters) toward tuition and fees while enrolled as an undergraduate business student
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 6-26
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Current high school senior applying for direct admission to the undergraduate business program at UW–Madison for Fall enrollment; preference will be shown for applicants who have previously participated in a business-related experience or camp at UW–Madison, a peer school, or a civic organization
In the Business Emerging Leaders (BEL) Scholarship Program, you will spend a week on the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, exploring business through interactive, hands-on learning. You will attend classes led by faculty from the Wisconsin School of Business, where you'll examine real-world business concepts and apply them in practical settings. Team-based activities, case studies, and collaborative projects will help you strengthen your leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. Throughout the program, staff and student leaders will guide discussions about college preparation and careers in business.
12. Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS)
Location: Penn State Smeal College of Business, University Park, Pennsylvania
Cost/Stipend: $350; None
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 14-26
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school juniors from the U.S. and Puerto Rico
The Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS) gives high school students an opportunity to spend a week living on Penn State’s campus while exploring what studying business is really like. You will attend classes led by faculty from Smeal College of Business and take part in team activities that will build your leadership and communication skills. You will work on group projects and case exercises that introduce core business concepts and help you apply them to real-world scenarios. Staff and student mentors will guide you through academic sessions and discussions about college pathways. You will also connect with corporate partners and learn about different roles and industries within the business world. The program creates access to business education for students from underrepresented backgrounds in a structured, supportive campus setting.
13. Accelerated Business Program
Location: Terry College of Business, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia or online
Cost/Stipend: $395; None
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 7–10; July 9-10 (Online)
Application Deadline: March 26; June 14 (Online)
Eligibility: High school rising juniors and seniors
In the Accelerated Business Program, you will explore core business fields at the Terry College of Business, University of Georgia. You will attend classes on accounting, finance, marketing, and management, gaining a broad overview of how these fields connect in real-world organizations. You will work in teams on projects and case-based activities that build your analytical thinking and communication skills. Faculty, staff, and student leaders will guide conversations about college preparation and careers in business, helping you better understand academic pathways and professional opportunities. You will live in campus housing during the program and experience university life firsthand.
14. Business Bootcamp
Location: LeBow College of Business, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost/Stipend: $325; None
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Competitive
Dates: February 14-15
Application Deadline: January 11
Eligibility: High school students in their sophomore through senior years. Preference is given to students with outstanding GPAs and active involvement in extracurricular or community service activities. International Students are welcome
This Business Bootcamp welcomes high school students for a week on Drexel’s campus, where they explore core areas of business in an interactive setting. You will attend interactive sessions led by LeBow faculty and industry professionals. You will work in teams on hands-on activities that introduce you to marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, and business analytics and their practical applications. You will analyze case scenarios, practice decision-making, and build presentation skills. Faculty and staff will guide discussions about college preparation and careers in business. This business summer program culminates in team presentations, where you share your learnings with peers.
15. Summer Business Academies
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: $1,500; None (early bird discounts and generous need-based financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Summer sessions (multiple one-week programs)
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12; international students are welcome
In the Summer Business Academies, you will spend a week on campus exploring foundational areas of business through structured, faculty-led sessions. You will attend classes that cover topics such as finance, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship, helping you understand how different functions work within organizations. You will work in teams on case studies and business simulations that build your analytical thinking and decision-making skills. Instructors will guide discussions and provide structured feedback throughout the experience. The program concludes with group presentations, giving you an opportunity to share your findings and practice professional communication in a supportive academic environment.