13 Finance Internships for High School Students in Denver
If you’re a high school student in Denver thinking about a future in finance, doing an internship is one of the best ways to see what the work is like. You’ll get to try professional tasks, like helping with budgets, keeping track of information, supporting projects, or planning small activities.
Denver has many companies, banks, nonprofits, and startups. That means you can get an internship close to home, so you won’t have to spend a lot of money on travel or housing. You also get to connect with people working in finance in your own city, which can be helpful if you want advice or mentorship.
Doing an internship can also give you an edge on college applications because it shows you’ve taken the time to gain experience in your field. On top of that, these internships let you connect what you’re learning in school to practical projects. You’ll start to understand different finance roles, see how teams make decisions, and figure out what kind of work fits you.
To make your search easier, we’ve put together a list of 13 finance internships for high school students in Denver!
13 Finance Internships for High School Students in Denver
1. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the 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!
Ladder Internships is a selective, remote program that places you with high-growth startups in industries like fintech, consulting, marketing, AI/ML, and health tech. You work on real business projects, including financial modeling, market research, and strategic planning, gaining hands-on experience in operations. Each intern receives mentorship from a dedicated Ladder Coach and participates in one-on-one coaching and group sessions on communication, leadership, and time management. The program builds both technical and professional skills while exposing you to global startup environments.
2. Young Founders Lab
Cost: Varies according to program. There is need-based financial aid.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab is a four-week startup program for high school students who want to build and launch a real business. You work in teams to take an idea from concept to execution, covering strategy, financial planning, and product development. You attend workshops on business fundamentals, study case examples, and join interactive sessions that combine theory with hands-on practice. Mentors from companies like Google and Microsoft guide you through customer discovery, go-to-market strategy, and pitching. By the end, you’ll have a working business concept, financial models, and real experience running a startup. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
3. Denver Public Schools – Launch Internship Program
Location: Denver Public Schools
Stipend: Varies by host (often unpaid for school credit)
Dates: Available year-round (specifics vary for academic-year and summer internships)
Application deadline: Varies by school and semester
Eligibility: DPS high-school students (grades and eligibility depend on the host)
The Launch Internship Program gives high school students in Denver placements with companies in finance-related fields. You complete 75–110 hours of work during a semester or summer, earning high school elective credit and possibly college credit. Financial fellowships are available if you meet all program requirements. You gain experience in budgeting, bookkeeping, financial reporting, and office operations. The program includes professional training, coaching, and a final presentation to show your financial skills. Placements can be hybrid, virtual, or in person, depending on the host company.
4. CareerWise Colorado — Youth Apprenticeship
Location: Employer placements across the Denver metro
Stipend: Paid (varies)
Dates: Multi-year (typically a 2–3 year apprenticeship); schedules set by employer/school calendar
Application deadline: Varies by employer and cohort (employer openings are posted seasonally)
Eligibility: High-school juniors/seniors enrolled in participating districts
CareerWise Colorado offers paid, multi-year apprenticeships for high school students in Denver. You work 16–24 hours per week in areas like finance, business operations, and administration while staying enrolled in school, earning high school and college credit. In finance roles, you might handle financial reporting, vendor management, budgeting, and data analysis. You are treated as an employee and receive structured mentoring, evaluations, and classroom instruction aligned with industry standards. Apprenticeships usually last two to three years, depending on your grade level and employer requirements.
5. Denver International Airport – DENtern
Location: Denver International Airport
Stipend: Typically paid
Dates: 10-week, 6-month, or year-long options available
Application deadline: Applications open in February; typically rolling deadlines
Eligibility: High school and college students
The DENtern Program at Denver International Airport offers paid internships for high school students in finance, procurement, and business administration. You work 10 weeks to a year on projects like budgeting, financial reporting, and operational support at one of the busiest airports in the U.S. You also take part in mentoring, professional development workshops, and cohort activities. Internships start in June, and applications usually open in February.
6. Apprenticeship USA
Location: U.S.-wide placements, including Denver
Stipend: Typically paid
Dates: Varies
Application deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High school students (specific eligibility may apply)
ApprenticeshipUSA connects you to paid programs that combine on-the-job training with formal instruction. Many opportunities are open to high school students age 16 and older and can be done during the school year, after classes, or over breaks. If you’re interested in finance, you can search for apprenticeships in banking, insurance, accounting, or business operations. Each posting shows pay, eligibility, and program length, which vary by employer. In financial services, apprenticeships include roles such as bank teller, insurance associate, customer service representative, operations assistant, and risk consultant.
7. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Nationwide (the Leadership Summit is held in Washington, D.C.)
Stipend: Provided; all expenses towards the trip to Washington, D.C. are covered
Program dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who have authorization to work in the United States, live in an eligible area, and have not participated in the program before.
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program gives high school juniors and seniors paid, eight-week internships at local nonprofits. You work 35 hours per week on tasks like budgeting, fundraising, financial planning, and organizational support. Participating nonprofits include Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity. You also attend a week-long national leadership summit in Washington, D.C., where you join workshops and policy discussions on civic engagement and economic topics. The program runs in nearly 100 U.S. communities and focuses on building workforce readiness and leadership skills.
8. Denver Youth Employment Program (DYEP)
Location: City of Denver placements with local employers
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Available year-round (fall, spring, and summer cohorts)
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students ages 14-21 currently enrolled in school, high school, or postsecondary; resident of Denver with eligibility to work in the U.S.
The Denver Youth Employment Program (DYEP) offers paid internships for high school students, with 75-hour placements during the school year and 110-hour placements in summer. You start with job readiness and financial literacy training, covering workplace expectations and basic money management. You are placed at local businesses and organizations in Denver. In finance-related roles, you might handle budgeting, record-keeping, invoice tracking, or support office operations.
9. AICPA & CIMA Youth Apprenticeship Program
Cost: Paid apprenticeship (wage set by host employer)
Location: Denver-area CPA firms and financial institutions
Dates: 2–3 year program, part-time during the school year
Application deadline: Posted seasonally (check site)
Eligibility: High school juniors/seniors (age 18+), enrolled in participating districts
The AICPA & CIMA Youth Apprenticeship Program gives high school students a finance-focused opportunity to gain real-world experience in accounting and financial services. You work 15–20 hours per week with local firms on tasks like audits, tax preparation, and accounting software projects. Alongside your work, you complete online courses on financial reporting, ethics, and professional standards. This combination lets you earn high school and college credit while building practical skills in a professional setting.
10. FirstBank Retail Banking Summer Internship
Cost: Paid ($15/hr)
Location: FirstBank branches across the Denver metro (Lakewood HQ focus)
Dates: 7–8 weeks, June–August
Application deadline: Rolling (applications open October)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (age 16+), with work authorization in the U.S.
The FirstBank Retail Banking Summer Internship is a paid program for high school and college students interested in banking and finance. You work in branch operations, shadow tellers, and loan officers, and learn daily workflows and customer service practices. During the internship, you complete management and lending projects that may include financial analysis, account services, and operational support. The program ends with a capstone presentation to FirstBank leadership.
11. JA Finance Park
Cost: Free for all participating students and schools, with curriculum and simulation supported by donors and sponsors.
Location: In-person facilities at the Denver Tech Center and Thornton, Colorado. A comprehensive virtual option is also available for statewide access.
Dates: Program available during the academic year, with scheduling coordinated by participating schools and JA Rocky Mountain.
Application deadline: Rolling; schools and educators coordinate directly with JA for visit scheduling and access.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students in Colorado; program and materials provided at no cost to public, private, and charter schools.
JA Finance Park gives Colorado high school students structured personal finance training that matches state standards and the Individual Career Academic Plan (ICAP). After classroom lessons, you take part in a half-day simulation where you manage a fictional adult budget. You make financial decisions on housing, transportation, food, healthcare, savings, investments, insurance, and taxes. Business and community volunteers guide the process, helping you understand budgeting, financial planning, and long-term money management.
12. Air Academy Federal Credit Union High School Internship Program
Cost: Paid (wage set by AAFCU; typically $14–$18/hr)
Location: Corporate headquarters (Colorado Springs) and branch locations across the South Denver metro
Dates: Seven-day training sessions in June and July, followed by summer and school-year placements
Application deadline: Early April annually
Eligibility: High school juniors/seniors (age 16+), enrolled in one of the 10 AAFCU-serviced school districts
The Air Academy Federal Credit Union offers a paid, year-long internship for high school juniors and seniors in Colorado. You’ll work as a Line Service Representative (teller) at branch locations in Castle Rock, Monument, Parker, Highlands Ranch, or Colorado Springs. After completing a required seven-day training session at the corporate headquarters in Colorado Springs, you’ll begin regular shifts that may include Saturdays. Your responsibilities include helping members with deposits, withdrawals, loan payments, and check processing while learning customer service, cash handling, and professional communication skills.
13. Colorado Credit Union Banzai Financial Literacy Ambassador Internship
Location: High schools across the Denver metro area; includes in-school and virtual components
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; students typically earn $12–$15 per hour
Dates: September through May (academic year); 10–15 hours per week
Application Deadline: Not listed on the official site; contact Colorado Credit Union for annual updates
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors enrolled in Denver-area public or private schools
Colorado Credit Union’s Banzai Ambassador Program is a financial literacy internship for high school students. You’ll work with CCU educators to lead classroom simulations using the Banzai platform, which teaches budgeting, credit, and investing. As an ambassador, you’ll help run lessons, design classroom activities, track student progress, and organize a final Finance Fair where students present what they’ve learned.