15 Finance Internships for High School Students in Maryland
Finance internships can be a great way for high school students to learn how money, markets, and financial systems operate outside the classroom. If you’re planning to study finance, economics, or business in college, getting this kind of experience as a high school student can give you a clearer sense of how the field works and what career paths you might want to explore.
In Maryland, high school students have access to a range of opportunities through banks, investment firms, universities, and financial organizations. Some programs cover the basics like saving, lending, and budgeting, while others introduce you to areas such as financial planning, accounting, stockbroking, and even global markets.
Choosing an internship close to home has its advantages. You can save on travel costs and start building professional connections in your own community, connections that may benefit you later when applying for college or jobs. On top of that, having internship experience on your résumé or college applications shows that you’ve taken steps to explore your interest in finance.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 finance internships for high school students in Maryland!
15 Finance Internships for High School Students in Maryland
1. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program; financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: Around 19%, which can vary depending on the internship and cohort
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort
Dates: Programs run year-round in 8–12 week sessions during spring, summer, fall, and winter
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, or gap year students who can work 5–10 hours a week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective remote program for high school students founded by Harvard graduates. It connects you with startups and nonprofits around the world, many backed by Y Combinator and led by professionals from Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey. If you're interested in economics or finance, you can intern in fields like financial technology, consulting, or nonprofit strategy, working on projects that involve market analysis, budgeting, or business planning.
You’ll collaborate directly with your host organization and receive support from a Ladder coach and site manager. At the end of the internship, you’ll present your work to the company. The program also includes group sessions with other interns to help you build communication, time management, and professional skills. You can check out the application form to see which internships are currently open.
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 Founder’s Lab is a startup boot camp created by Harvard entrepreneurs for high school students who want to turn ideas into real businesses. You’ll work on building an actual startup that tackles a real-world problem, guided by mentors from companies like Microsoft, Google, and X. You’ll participate in interactive sessions on brainstorming and refining ideas, business fundamentals, researching your market, developing prototypes, and launching your product. It all wraps up with a demo day where you’ll pitch your startup to potential investors. You can choose between two formats: a 30-hour, team-based online program or a flexible individual track that includes 12 hours of personalized, one-on-one coaching. You can check out the full program brochure here.
3. CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) High School Internship Program
Location: Several locations across the U.S., including Baltimore in Maryland
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; Over 400 applications received for 60 spots
Dates: 4 weeks in June and July
Application Deadline: March – April
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–18 who are authorized to work in the U.S. without requiring a work visa
The CLA High School Internship offers a 4-week opportunity for students interested in exploring careers in accounting, professional services, and business. You’ll get to apply what you’ve learned in school to real financial and business situations, working on actual projects at CLA offices across the U.S. with guidance from experienced professionals. You will explore case studies, work on group projects, and shadow professionals to strengthen your analytical and problem-solving skills. You’ll also get mentorship and training in fields like auditing, business consulting, and accounting.
4. Urban Alliance High School Internship Program
Location: Multiple locations, including Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid (amount not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: Nine months; part-time during the school year and full-time over the summer
Application Deadline: Applications open in the fall
Eligibility: High school seniors who are on track to graduate, have at least a 2.0 GPA, and are approved for an off-campus or early-release schedule
Urban Alliance’s High School Internship Program gives you a paid, year-long opportunity to build real job skills, earn money, and connect with mentors who care about your future. You’ll start with six weeks of job readiness training, then work part-time during the school year and full-time in the summer. Each week, you’ll join workshops that help you plan for life after high school, strengthen your communication and professionalism, and learn financial skills like budgeting and money management. If you’re interested in finance, you’ll get hands-on experience and training that prepares you for real-world decisions. You can also explore specialized tracks like construction or property management, with pre-apprenticeship options available if you’re an older student.
5. AICPA-CIMA Youth Apprenticeship Program
Location: Various organizations across Maryland
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students earn at least minimum wage
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive program
Dates: Summer and year-round opportunities are available
Application Deadline: Varies based on the opportunity
Eligibility: Maryland high school juniors or seniors who are 16 or older
The AICPA-CIMA Youth Apprenticeship Program connects Maryland high school students with a local employer in an earn-while-you-learn model, combining online coursework, leadership training, coaching, and on-the-job experience. You’ll complete the Business and Finance Foundational Level plus the Digital Finance Course of the Operational Level through the CGMA Finance Leadership Program, earning a Business and Finance Essentials certificate.
You’ll also join the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants Student Leadership Academy, a two-day event to learn about the profession and network with accountants. A youth apprenticeship coach will guide you through the Color Accounting Curriculum, a fast way to build accounting and financial literacy. Alongside your studies, you’ll work at least 450 paid hours over a summer or school year with an employer approved by the Maryland Department of Labor and the Maryland State Department of Education, applying what you’ve learned in real-world situations.
6. Interns 4-Good
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free | Information about a stipend is not provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: High acceptance rate
Dates: Year-round opportunities are available; flexible schedule
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
Interns 4-Good offers remote internships for high school students at U.S. nonprofits, where you can choose roles that fit your interests, schedule, and skills and earn certified volunteer hours. After a quick online application, you’ll get access to an updated list of internships in areas like finance, education, business, HR, social media marketing, graphic design, music, website design, and more, with new opportunities posted every week.
If finance is your focus, you might help manage budgets, assist with financial decisions, apply for grants, or create content like infographics and blog posts. Some roles also involve supporting nonprofit marketing campaigns, great for students interested in economics, business, or making a social impact. You can even join Interns 4-Good’s own projects, working on things like curriculum design, content creation, or tutoring.
7. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) — Work-Based Learning Experiences
Location: Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid or unpaid, depending on the internship placement
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive program
Dates: Exact dates vary depending on the opportunity, but usually runs for about a semester
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: MCPS high school students in grades 11 and 12
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) offers internships for high school juniors and seniors to explore career fields and build real-world skills before graduation. You’ll work at least 75 hours per semester while taking a Career Seminar class that covers professionalism and workplace readiness. If you’re interested in finance, these internships will allow you to learn practical skills like reading financial statements, budgeting, understanding credit, saving and investing, and managing taxes. You’ll also learn about industry challenges, business ethics, financial literacy, and personal development. For every 150 hours you work, you’ll earn one full credit.
8. Maryland Department of Budget and Management’s Internship Program
Location: Department of Budget and Management, Annapolis, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid and unpaid opportunities are available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not listed
Dates: Vary by opportunity, with options offered during the summer and the school year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the opportunity
Eligibility: Students enrolled in a high school, college, or university in Maryland with at least a 2.5 GPA; additional requirements can be found here
The Maryland Department of Budget and Management’s Internship Program gives local students a chance to explore careers in the department, gain hands-on experience, and possibly earn educational credit. You’ll keep weekly time logs, have them reviewed and signed by your supervisor or faculty advisor, and submit periodic progress reports to your faculty coordinator. Depending on the position, you could work on tasks like helping develop and manage the state’s annual budget, overseeing procurement and financial practices, or reviewing agency reports, rules, and legislation to ensure they align with the Governor’s priorities.
9. Maryland Public Television (MPT) Internships
Location: Hybrid and in-person internships are offered at the Maryland Public Television office, Owings Mills, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: January 28 – May 15 (Spring Session) | June 2 – August 15 (Summer Session) | September 10 – December 15 (Fall Session)
Application Deadline: Varies based on the session and the opportunity
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
MPT offers hybrid and in-person unpaid internships for students interested in television programming, co-productions, development, and related business areas. Beyond programming, MPT also offers internships in various fields, including public relations, TV production, marketing, communications, administration, client relations, sales, IT, education, and more. If you’re interested in finance, you can explore production, development, or marketing roles to learn about the business side of TV. This includes budgeting, expense tracking, vendor selection, staffing, logistics, and working with account executives on sales calls and presentations to advertising agencies and local businesses.
10. U.S. Department of the Treasury Headquarters Student Internship Program
Location: U.S. Treasury Department's headquarters, Washington, DC, around 30 miles from Maryland
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate: Around 10–12%
Dates: January – May (Spring) | May – August (Summer) | September – December (Fall); you can find all available internships at www.usajobs.gov
Application Deadline: October (Spring) | December (Summer) | June (Fall); the exact dates vary by opportunity
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students who are U.S. citizens, are enrolled or accepted at an accredited school, and remain eligible for the entire internship
The Treasury Department offers unpaid internships in Washington, D.C., for students interested in federal work, finance, and budgeting. Interns work in various Treasury Departmental Offices, divisions that handle economics, finance, national security, and the department’s overall management. If you’re interested in finance, offices include Domestic Finance, Economic Policy, International Affairs, Financial Research, Financial Stability, and more. Throughout the internship, you’ll strengthen research, management, analytical, and communication skills while collaborating with Treasury staff and other federal agencies.
11. National Academy Foundation’s Academy of Finance
Location: 19 high schools in Maryland, including Paint Branch High School, Burtonsville, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not listed
Dates: Year-long program; internships run for 6–8 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Local high school juniors and seniors
The National Academy Foundation’s Academy of Finance offers an opportunity for students to explore careers in financial services while building personal finance skills. You’ll take core classes like Accounting, Financial Planning, Banking and Credit, and Entrepreneurship, plus electives such as International Finance, Economics and World Finance, and AP Economics. These internships give you hands-on experience and help you connect with professionals. You’ll visit banks, financial exchanges, accounting firms, brokerage houses, insurance companies, and government agencies. You’ll also join mentoring and shadowing programs, hear from guest speakers, attend conferences and college fairs, and take part in special graduation events.
12. Morgan State University’s Summer Accounting Academy
Location: Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective program
Dates: July 7 – July 11
Application Deadline: April 30 (regular deadline) | June 15 (extended deadline)
Eligibility: High school juniors, seniors, and community college students with at least a 3.0 GPA who plan to major in accounting
The Summer Accounting Academy is a free, 5-day program for students who are interested in pursuing accounting as a college major. Throughout the week, you’ll get an introduction to the accounting profession, explore different career paths, and learn the basics of college-level accounting and ratio analysis. You’ll also see how essential Excel is in accounting careers. Industry professionals from corporate, public, and governmental accounting will share their experiences. Most activities take place in the Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management, running Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The program also includes a field trip to a Big Four accounting firm or another business institution.
13. Robert H. Smith School of Business — Business Institute Program
Location: Robert H. Smith School of Business, College Park, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 30 students
Dates: October – December (Fall) | February – April (Spring); 3 Fridays a month
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–12 from Crossland and Potomac High School in Prince George's County Public Schools
The Business Institute Program gives local high school students the chance to explore business careers while experiencing the University of Maryland. You’ll study core areas such as Accounting, Finance, Analytics, Marketing, and Management. You’ll also learn the basics of running and managing a company and develop business proposals. In your senior year, you will pitch your ideas to faculty, mentors, and judges in a final competition. Students who finish the program receive a Certificate of Completion.
14. Wharton Global Youth Program — Financial Decision Making
Location: Live online classes
Cost: $4,099 + $100 non-refundable application fee; scholarships are available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: High acceptance rate
Dates: June 16 – June 27 | July 7 – July 18
Application Deadline: April 2 (priority deadline) | May 1 (final deadline)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
Wharton Global Youth’s Financial Decision Making offers a 2-week opportunity for high school students interested in finance and economics. You’ll study core economic and financial principles, see how they apply in real life, and work with real-world datasets to sharpen your analytical and decision-making skills. The curriculum, created by Wharton Professor David Musto, an expert in capital markets and strategic equity finance, is modeled after Wharton’s undergraduate finance program. You’ll work on group projects that test your financial knowledge and require practical application of the concepts you’ve learned. Completing all program requirements will earn you a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion.
15. Morgan Stanley JumpStart Scholars
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid (amount not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Dates: November – April
Application Deadline: Applications open in early fall
Eligibility: High school seniors
Morgan Stanley’s JumpStart Scholars in Finance is a five-month paid virtual program for high school seniors interested in exploring investment banking and finance. You’ll take part in workshops, networking events, and job shadowing designed to give you a clear view of the industry. Every other week, you’ll join interactive learning sessions led by Morgan Stanley employees, covering topics like wealth building, financial literacy, finance fundamentals, entrepreneurship, career development, how the firm operates, emotional intelligence, and leadership. The program ends in April with a capstone competition, where you’ll apply everything you’ve learned to solve a real-world case study.
Krishnapriya, or KP, is the Head of Partnerships at the YFL and an LSE graduate. She is super passionate about the environment (especially nonhumans with 3+ limbs) and considers walking her dogs as the most important part of her day!