15 Finance Summer Programs for Low-Income High School Students
If you're a high school student curious about business, finance or entrepreneurship, summer programs can give you a meaningful head start. Instead of only learning theory in class, you'll get early exposure to real-world financial concepts and professional environments.
What do finance summer programs cover?
Many programs cover topics such as investing, financial analysis, budgeting, entrepreneurship, and market trends through hands-on projects, case studies, and simulations that make learning practical and engaging. Along the way, you'll build valuable skills in financial planning, decision-making, and problem-solving that can even support your business ideas or entrepreneurial ventures.
How are finance programs helpful as a high school student?
By participating in these programs, you can better understand what careers in finance actually involve and determine whether these paths align with your interests and strengths. Many programs include mentorship from industry professionals and opportunities to network with peers who share similar goals, helping you build connections that support your future academic and career journeys.
Additionally, for more financially inclusive opportunities, you can check out economics programs for low-income students or leadership programs for low-income students.
To help you get started, we have put together 15 finance summer programs for low-income high school students.
15 Finance Summer Programs for Low-Income High School Students
1. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Multiple locations throughout the U.S. (plus Washington, DC, summit)
Cost: Paid
Application Deadline: January 15
Dates: 8 weeks, June – August
Eligibility: Applicants must be current 11th or 12th graders, legally authorized to work in the U.S., and permanent residents of eligible locations
Bank of America’s Student Leaders Program offers an eight-week, paid internship summer program for low-income high school students, where you work with a nonprofit organisation in your local community. During the program, you might support projects involving budgeting, fundraising and financial planning, thus gaining insights into how nonprofits manage resources and operate sustainably. You work alongside professionals who use financial tools to support community programs and long-term goals. The experience includes mentorship and opportunities to build practical workplace skills such as communication, organization, and teamwork. After completing the program, you become part of a national alumni network of students interested in areas such as finance, public policy, and community-focused work.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a start-up program designed for high school students who want to understand how businesses are built from the ground up. In the program, you work step-by-step on developing a start-up with the goal of generating revenue while addressing a real-world problem. You receive guidance from experienced entrepreneurs and professionals with backgrounds in companies such as Google, Microsoft, and X. Alongside building your start-up, you take part in structured classes that cover core business topics such as ideation, market research, and business strategy.
The program also includes workshops focused on practical skills, case studies, and panel discussions with industry professionals. Through this mix of instruction and hands-on work, you gain exposure to both the theoretical and practical aspects of entrepreneurial finance. The experience allows you to explore business concepts in depth and better understand what it takes to develop and sustain a viable venture. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
3. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: Offered in select offices nationwide
Cost: A stipend is paid
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in winter and close by March
Dates: 4–8 weeks, June – August
Eligibility: Ages 16–18
CLA’s High School Internship offers a paid, mentored summer program for low-income high school students that introduces them to professional work in areas such as finance, tax, and digital advisory. In the program, you work on practical assignments that may include budgeting, forecasting, and preparing financial reports. You also learn how professionals support clients with managing finances, planning investments, and making informed business decisions. The internship includes case-based activities, simulated client interactions, and guided analysis of financial data alongside your team. Throughout the experience, you develop skills in communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. You also receive individual guidance from CLA mentors who help you explore potential career paths in accounting, finance, and consulting.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Full financial aid available
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
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 internship program designed for high school students interested in gaining experience with start-up companies. In the program, you are matched with a growing start-up and work as an intern on structured, project-based assignments. The start-ups in the program span a range of industries, including finance, accounting, technology, AI and machine learning, health technology, marketing, journalism, and consulting.
Many are early-stage companies actively developing their products or services, often supported by external funding. If you intern at a finance or related firm, you can build financial, accounting, and economics skills in a practical professional environment. The program emphasises hands-on learning, collaboration, and clear communication. At the end of the experience, you present your work to the start-up team, thereby learning to share your ideas and explain your contributions in a professional setting.
5. Fidelity Investments Asset Management High School Summer Internship
Location: Boston, MA or Merrimack, NH
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Application Deadline: Typically, in early March
Dates: 5 weeks between July and August
Eligibility: All high school students
This finance internship introduces you to the fundamentals of asset management and how investment professionals make informed decisions. You build quantitative and analytical skills by working with Excel models, economic data, and basic forecasting methods. Your work may include creating sample investment portfolios, evaluating market risk, and testing different investment approaches using historical data. You also participate in workshops that cover topics such as equity markets, fixed-income securities, and portfolio design. By the end of the internship, you will have gained practical experience using common finance tools and applying structured, analytical thinking to investment problems.
6. 1435 Capital Management’s Venture Analyst High School Internship
Location: Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: 10 weeks between June and August
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–18
The 1435 Capital Management Venture Analyst Internship is a 10-week summer program that introduces you to finance and venture capital through hands-on work. During the internship, you collaborate with partners and analysts on tasks such as researching early-stage startups and examining market trends. Your responsibilities may include supporting financial models, analysing data, and preparing written and visual materials for internal discussions. You gain experience working through real investment questions and understanding how decisions are evaluated in a venture setting. The internship concludes with a final presentation where you summarise your work and reflect on what you have learned throughout the program.
7. Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI)
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Application Deadline: March 31
Dates: 6 weeks between June and August
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors residing in Chicago, who have a “B” or 3.0 average, and belong to families whose income is below $80,000/year
The Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) is a program for high school students that combines classroom instruction with applied business projects to introduce you to finance-related fields. You'll explore topics such as investment research and financial analysis through guided market simulations and case examples based on real business scenarios. The program includes workshops led by professionals on areas such as banking, corporate finance, and capital markets, helping you see how different sectors of finance operate. You also receive mentorship from professionals working in finance who provide feedback on your work and perspective on academic and career paths. Together, these experiences help you build a foundation for future study in business, finance, or economics.
8. McCombs School of Business High School Programs
Location: McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost: None
Application Deadline: January 31
Dates: McCombs Future Executive Academy (MFEA): May 31 – June 5 | Subiendo: The Academy for Rising Leaders: June 14 – 18 | DYNAMC: Discover Yourself in Accounting Majors and Careers: June 21 – 28
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors
The McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin offers a six-day program that introduces you to business, leadership, and college life. A central component of the program is a team-based case competition. You work with fellow students to analyze a business problem, develop a solution and present your recommendations. You'll also attend classes and sessions that introduce core business areas such as finance, marketing, and accounting. Faculty members and guest speakers share academic and professional perspectives on how these fields operate in practice. Networking is another key element. You interact with industry professionals and current UT student leaders, gaining perspectives on academic pathways and career opportunities.
9. Invest in Girls — Financial Foundations
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Dates: Various cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students identifying as girls
Invest in Girls Financial Foundations Program introduces high school girl students to essential personal finance concepts while giving them early exposure to investing and career skills. In the program, you learn practical topics such as budgeting, using credit responsibly, filing taxes, and understanding different career paths within the finance field. You also explore the basics of building and managing an investment portfolio through guided activities and discussions, helping you connect financial theory to real-world decision making. In addition to financial topics, the program addresses professional development skills, including interviewing, workplace expectations, and professional communication. Overall, the experience is designed to help you build financial awareness and prepare for life after high school.
10. Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP KC)
Location: Kansas City, Missouri (mostly in-person; limited remote options available)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend of $12–14/hour + $2,500 scholarship
Application Deadline: February 1
Dates: Session 1: June 2 – 27; Session 2: July 7 – August 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors from the Kansas City metro area
The Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP KC) is a four-week paid internship that places you with startups in the Kansas City area. You spend about 30 hours per week contributing to projects in areas such as finance, marketing, and strategic planning, gaining hands-on experience and developing business skills. The program includes weekly company visits, where you observe how startups operate, make funding decisions, and approach leadership. You'll be matched with a startup that aligns with your interests, allowing for focused mentorship and practical learning. Through this combination of project work, guidance, and exposure to entrepreneurial operations, YEP KC helps you develop a clear understanding of how business and finance function in a start-up environment.
11. Summer Entrepreneurship Program — Suffolk University
Location: Suffolk University, Boston, MA (commuter program, no housing provided)
Cost: None
Application Deadline: March 13
Dates: July 7 – 24
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (rising juniors considered if space is available)
Suffolk University’s Summer Entrepreneurship Program is a three-week experience designed for rising high school seniors, with limited availability for rising juniors. In the program, you explore how new businesses are created and how organizations generate value through entrepreneurial practices. Learning takes place through class discussions, collaborative projects, and visits to entrepreneurship-focused organizations in Boston. Along the way, you'll develop practical skills such as problem-solving, communication, and professional interaction. The program concludes with a final presentation where you showcase a business idea you have developed during the program.
12. Young Entrepreneurs Academy
Location: Various chapters. All locations here
Application Deadline: Varies by partner site
Dates: Academic year or summer (duration 7 months for year-round, varies for summer pilot)
Eligibility: Open to middle and high school students; NY residents
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a hands-on program that guides high school students through the process of launching a real business or nonprofit. You work step by step, from developing your idea to creating a business plan, formally registering your venture, and making your first sales. A key highlight of the program is presenting your business to a panel of investors, where you may have the opportunity to receive initial funding to support your venture. Along the way, you build practical skills in areas such as financial planning, leadership, and public speaking. You also meet local business owners and community leaders who provide insights and guidance. Many students continue to run their ventures after the program, supported by YEA!’s ongoing network and resources.
13. Futures and Options Internship Program
Location: Internships are based in Manhattan and across NYC, with in-person, hybrid, and remote options depending on the employer
Cost: Free; paid ($16.50+/hour)
Application Deadline: Rolling/seasonal
Dates: 6 weeks (summer, 20–30 hours/week)
Eligibility: NYC high school juniors/seniors, 16–19 years old
The Futures and Options Internship Program offers a paid finance-focused internship in New York City, giving you direct exposure to professional environments. You may be placed with a private equity firm, nonprofit, government agency, or corporation, based on your interests and career goals. In addition to your internship work, you participate in workshops on career skills such as resume building, interview preparation, workplace etiquette, and financial literacy, thereby strengthening your technical knowledge and professional confidence. Throughout the internship, program staff provide mentorship and support to help you navigate workplace expectations and gain insights into potential career paths in finance.
14. Summer at Waynflete — Personal Finance Summer Institute
Location: Personal Finance Summer Institute, Portland, ME
Cost: None
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Dates: July 15 – 19
Eligibility: High school students based in Maine and nominated by their school
In this program, you explore key financial topics such as credit, taxes, saving, budgeting, education, investing, and basic economic principles. Instead of only learning definitions, you apply concepts through hands-on activities such as investment analysis and simulated stock market exercises. You learn how to research companies, assess risk, and build a simple investment portfolio to understand how informed financial decisions are made. The program also offers interactive workshops on practical money management skills, where you create personal budgets, understand credit scores, and plan for future expenses such as student loans. The program also includes a community service project undertaken under the guidance of a mentor, giving you the opportunity to apply your skills while contributing to your local community.
15. Junior Achievement (JA): Financial Literacy Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Application Deadline: Not applicable for individual students. Enrollment is managed by the student’s school or teacher, who opts to use the JA curriculum
Dates: Year–round
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
The Junior Achievement (JA) Financial Literacy program is a semester-long course designed to give high school students a strong foundation in personal finance. You'll explore key topics such as earning and saving, budgeting, managing bank accounts, investing, credit, insurance, and handling financial risks such as debt or identity theft. Learning takes place through case studies, applied projects and interactive sessions with community volunteers and business professionals who provide guidance and real-world perspectives. This hands-on approach helps you strengthen your skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and making informed financial decisions.