15 Finance Programs in Texas for High School Students
If you are considering a future in business, economics, or investing, joining a finance program in high school can give you an early advantage!
What do finance programs involve?
Finance programs introduce you to areas such as financial markets, corporate finance, and investment strategies, subjects that are rarely covered in regular school courses. Through workshops, case studies, and guided discussions, you may analyze market trends, examine how companies make financial decisions, and study real business scenarios.
Why pursue finance programs in Texas as a high school student?
Texas has one of the largest business and finance ecosystems in the United States. Universities, business institutes, and entrepreneurship centers across the state often host programs designed to introduce high school students to finance.
These experiences can add value to your academic profile. At the same time, these programs help you build early experience that can help you scale your own venture. Participating in a finance program shows initiative and curiosity about business and economics, which can strengthen your college applications.
To exercise your finance skills and learn how finance works in a professional environment, you can check out finance internships in Texas.
To help you explore what’s available, we’ve put together a list of 15 finance programs in Texas for high school students.
15 Finance Programs in Texas for High School Students
1. Texas McCombs Summer Programs – Future Executive Academy, Subiendo, and DYNAMC
Location: The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost: Free (tuition, housing, and meals fully covered)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size varies by program
Program Dates: McCombs Future Executive Academy- May 31 – June 5, Subiendo: The Academy for Rising Leaders- June 14 – June 18, Discover Yourself In Accounting Majors and Careers (DYNAMC)- June 21 – June 26
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors (Subiendo is limited to Texas high school juniors)
The Texas McCombs Summer Programs offer a fully funded, six-day immersive experience designed to give you a realistic preview of college-level business education. Through the McCombs Future Executive Academy (MFEA), you explore multiple fields within business via interactive workshops and case-based learning. If you’re interested in leadership development, Subiendo focuses on strengthening your communication, strategic thinking, and decision-making skills. DYNAMC introduces you to accounting majors and career pathways, with support from Ernst & Young Global Limited, helping you understand how accounting connects to corporate strategy and financial decision-making. Across all programs, you learn directly from faculty, keynote speakers, and industry professionals while participating in a case competition that challenges you to apply what you’ve learned.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: 100% virtual, with live interactive workshops
Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort-based model
Program Dates: Vary by cohort
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Young Founders Lab is a virtual startup boot camp designed to help you build a revenue-generating venture that addresses a real-world problem. Throughout the program, you move from idea generation to launch, applying core concepts from entrepreneurship, economics, and business strategy in a structured, hands-on environment. You participate in live, interactive sessions that cover ideation frameworks, customer discovery, market validation, and foundational financial principles. In addition to workshops and case studies, you engage in discussions with mentors who have experience at organizations such as Google, Microsoft, and X, giving you practical insight into how startups operate. You refine your leadership and communication skills by pitching your venture and iterating based on detailed feedback from peers and advisors.
3. Rice University Pathfinder Summer High School Program
Location: Rice University campus, Houston, TX
Cost: $6,000 (Early Bird); $7,000 (Regular)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited residential cohort
Program Dates: July 12–25
Application Deadline: Early Bird: March 15; Rolling until April 15
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Rice University Pathfinder Program, hosted by the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Lilie), is a two-week residential experience where you design, build, and test your own venture on campus in Houston. You work through the full entrepreneurial process, from identifying a problem to conducting customer discovery, building prototypes, and refining a viable business model. Through daily workshops, lab sessions, and team-based projects, you will explore core finance and business topics such as market segmentation, revenue models, funding strategies, marketing, sales, and investor pitching. You also engage directly with Houston’s innovation ecosystem through visits to hubs like Ion and Greentown Labs, along with networking lunches and founder-led discussions. The program culminates in Pathfinder Demo Day, where you present your venture to entrepreneurs and industry professionals.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Tuition-based program; financial aid may be available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small cohort placements with startups
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
The Ladder Internship Program is a selective startup internship where you work directly with a high-growth company on substantive, real-world projects. Startups span industries such as finance, technology, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting, giving you exposure to diverse business models and operational strategies. Many founders have experience with Y Combinator, have raised venture funding, or previously worked at companies like Google, Microsoft, or Meta, allowing you to observe how scaling companies operate. During the program, you collaborate closely with a startup manager while receiving structured oversight from a Ladder Coach to ensure accountability and professional development. You will contribute to active company initiatives, building skills in research, financial analysis, strategy, product development, marketing, or operations, depending on your placement.
5. NABA Accelerated Career Awareness Program (ACAP) at C. T. Bauer College of Business
Location: C. T. Bauer College of Business, University of Houston, Houston, TX
Cost: Typically free (details provided upon acceptance)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited residential cohort
Program Dates: July 12–17
Application Deadline: Varies (see application link for current timeline)
Eligibility: Current 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders
The NABA Accelerated Career Awareness Program (ACAP) is a week-long residential experience that introduces you to careers in accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, and related business fields. Hosted at the C. T. Bauer College of Business, the program blends hands-on workshops with professional development sessions, giving you early exposure to college-level business education. During the week, you build foundational knowledge in financial literacy, leadership, and career planning while exploring how accounting, finance, and entrepreneurship intersect in real-world business environments. You participate in structured team activities and presentations that strengthen your communication and analytical skills.
6. TCU High School Investor Challenge®
Location: Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
Cost: $1,600
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited cohort of high-achieving students
Program Dates: June 1–5 or June 15–19
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students entering senior year
The TCU High School Investor Challenge® is a selective, academically rigorous program designed for students with a serious interest in investing and financial markets. You begin with a five-day residential experience at the Neeley School of Business, where you take college-level classes in securities analysis and portfolio management. During this on-campus session, you learn how to analyze company financial statements, interpret analysts’ reports, and use professional research tools such as Value Line to evaluate stocks and assess risk. After the residential component, you continue the experience by managing a $100,000 virtual investment portfolio throughout your senior year. From July through March, you execute simulated trades and submit structured stock reports for critique, receiving detailed feedback on your investment strategy and decision-making process.
7. Financial Planning Academy at Texas Tech University
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX (part of a national network of partner universities)
Cost: Not specified; Typically funded by the Charles Schwab Foundation
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small team-based cohorts
Program Dates: Summer (dates vary by host university)
Application Deadline: Varies by location
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Financial Planning Academy is a summer program created by Texas Tech University and funded by the Charles Schwab Foundation to strengthen your understanding of personal finance and the financial planning profession. During this immersive experience, you work in small teams to analyze a comprehensive financial planning case study, develop actionable financial plans, and present your recommendations in a competitive setting. Throughout the week, you engage with financial experts from across the country while building skills in teamwork, entrepreneurship, leadership, and professional communication. The curriculum introduces you to key concepts such as budgeting, investment strategy, retirement planning, and risk management.
8. Dallas Works Summer Internship Program
Location: Dallas, TX (in-person placements across Dallas County)
Cost: Paid internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 100+ internship placements; up to 175 students accepted into the Internship Prep Bootcamp
Program Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: Dallas County students who complete Career Ready Workshops and the Internship Prep Bootcamp must meet work eligibility requirements
The Dallas Works Summer Internship Program places you in a paid internship with a corporation, nonprofit, or government agency across Dallas. Before beginning your placement, you complete the Internship Prep Bootcamp, an intensive pre-internship training experience designed to ensure you are professionally prepared for the workplace. Bootcamp sessions include skill-building workshops, workplace simulations, and outings that help you understand employer expectations, workplace communication norms, and professional conduct. To qualify, you must attend workshops across all three Career Ready Pathway categories, submit an application and résumé, and meet residency and availability requirements. During the summer internship (20–40 hours per week), you gain direct exposure to real business operations while receiving structured support from supervisors, Dallas Works staff, peer mentors, and a dedicated internship coach.
9. JA Finance Park® Entry Level
Location: Classroom-based with on-site, mobile, or virtual simulation options, including SE Texas implementation
Cost: Typically free for participating schools (varies by local JA chapter)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: School- or chapter-based participation model
Program Dates: Varies by school or local JA chapter schedule
Application Deadline: Coordinated through participating schools or JA chapters
Eligibility: Middle and high school students (recommended for grades 7–9)
JA Finance Park® Entry Level is Junior Achievement’s capstone program for personal financial planning and career exploration. Through a structured, educator-led curriculum followed by a hands-on simulation, you build foundational financial literacy skills to make informed decisions about income, expenses, savings, credit, and taxes. The program includes a minimum of 13 classroom lessons, delivered either in a traditional format or through project-based learning for high school implementation. You explore your personal interests, work preferences, and values while evaluating career pathways and understanding how financial decisions connect to long-term goals. The curriculum guides you through analyzing the risks and benefits of saving and investing, understanding insurance, comparing credit and debit usage, and identifying the components of an effective budget.
10. UT Dallas Top Trader Stock Market Competition
Location: University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX (with virtual trading simulator component)
Cost: Typically free to participate; $1,200 awarded to first-place winner
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open competition format; cohort size varies
Program Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: High school students
The UT Dallas Top Trader Stock Market Competition is a summer investment-focused program that introduces you to the fundamentals of investment management through structured learning and hands-on simulation. Throughout the program, you explore how financial markets operate while developing practical skills in stock analysis, portfolio construction, and risk assessment. Using a virtual trading simulator, you apply the strategies and analytical techniques you learn to manage a simulated investment portfolio in real time. The objective is performance-based: you compete to generate the highest returns using informed decision-making rather than guesswork. By analyzing market data, researching companies through resources like Yahoo! Finance and Investopedia, and refining your trading strategy, you strengthen your quantitative reasoning and financial literacy. The competition format culminates in a cash award for the top performer, rewarding disciplined analysis and strategic execution.
11. City of Houston Summer Jobs Program
Location: Houston, TX
Cost: Paid internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; more applicants than available openings
Program Dates: Internships begin June 8 or June 15 and run for 8 weeks
Application Deadline: Online application opens in February
Eligibility: Ages 16–24 by program start date; must reside in the greater Houston area and commit to 32 hours per week
The City of Houston Summer Jobs Program allows you to earn while gaining firsthand exposure to public sector operations in one of the largest cities in the United States. Through placements in various city departments, you develop practical workplace skills while learning how municipal services support residents and businesses. You apply through the NEOGOV portal, where internship roles are listed under “Seasonal Intern” titles across different functional areas. The program requires a complete application, references, and short written responses outlining your career goals and community perspective. If selected, you must pass a background check and commit to a structured 8-week schedule.
12. Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) – Finance Internships
Location: Various locations across Texas (depends on role)
Cost: Paid; stipend varies by position
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; varies by district and department
Program Dates: Year-round; schedules vary by role (part-time or full-time)
Application Deadline: Varies by position (see official listings for current openings)
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years old, enrolled in an educational institution, and eligible to work in the U.S.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) offers year-round internship opportunities that allow you to gain practical experience in public sector finance and infrastructure management. Depending on your placement, you may work part-time during the school year or full-time during the summer, and in some cases, you may be able to earn academic credit. In finance-related roles, you can support budgeting, accounting, project funding analysis, and financial oversight for large-scale transportation initiatives. This gives you direct exposure to how infrastructure projects are planned, funded, and managed within a state agency. You contribute to ongoing operational projects while accessing professional training resources and networking with finance professionals across Texas.
13. SFEPD Financial Literacy Camp for High School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free; participants receive a $25 gift card and certificate of completion
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 21 – 25
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The SFEPD Financial Literacy Camp is a free, weeklong virtual program designed to strengthen your money management and professional skills. Throughout the camp, you explore core personal finance topics such as budgeting, saving, investing, and long-term financial planning. Sessions are interactive and structured to help you understand how everyday financial decisions influence future stability and career flexibility. You participate in group challenges and collaborative activities that reinforce teamwork, leadership, and communication skills.
14. NYIF Young Finance Scholar (YFS) Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Self-paced: $950. Accelerated: $1,090. Virtual: $1,990.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 20 – 31
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Students ages 15–18
The Young Finance Scholar (YFS) Program, offered by the New York Institute of Finance, provides a structured introduction to economics, finance, and global business systems. Over two weeks of live evening sessions, you learn directly from industry professionals who cover core topics such as macroeconomics, financial analysis, investment banking, and sustainable finance. You examine concepts including GDP, monetary policy, company valuation, Wall Street fundamentals, and emerging fintech trends, building both theoretical understanding and applied insight into how financial markets function. The curriculum emphasizes analytical reasoning, research methodology, and professional communication, encouraging you to interpret data, evaluate financial performance, and articulate informed perspectives.
15. Financial Decision Making – Wharton Global Youth Program
Location: Online
Cost: $4,099
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – 26 | July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: Priority: January 28 | Final: May 20
Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 9–12
The Financial Decision Making program from Wharton Global Youth provides an intensive, academically rigorous introduction to personal finance, markets, and data-driven analysis. Over two weeks, you examine how money flows through the broader economy while developing the skills to make informed financial decisions in your own life. Taught by Wharton faculty, including Professor David Musto, the curriculum covers personal budgeting, investing principles, credit management, financial ethics, and the influence of central banks on economic stability. You work with analytical tools such as Excel to interpret datasets, evaluate trade-offs, and apply structured reasoning to financial scenarios. Through case studies and interactive discussions, you practice translating financial theory into actionable strategies. Upon completion, you earn a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion and gain access to the Global Youth Meetup (GYM), expanding your academic network within a global cohort of peers interested in business and finance.