15 Free Business Internships for High School Students

If cost has kept you from applying to a business internship before, it's worth knowing plenty of strong ones are completely free. 

What do free business internships for high schoolers involve?

These internships put you into actual business work, helping run a marketing campaign, sitting in on meetings, or seeing firsthand how a company makes decisions under real constraints. That kind of experience teaches you a lot more than a semester of business theory ever could.

Why should I do a free business internship in high school?

A free internship removes cost as a barrier, but it doesn't lower the value of the experience. Many are run by universities, nonprofits, or local organizations that want to mentor students, which means you often get more individual attention than you would at a large, competitive program.

Without further ado, here is a list of 15 free business internships for high school students! For related opportunities, check out our guides on startups offering internships for high school students and business internships for high school students in California.

Quick Look

• 9 internships with a stipend despite being free to apply: Chicago Summer Business Institute, the Young Entrepreneurs Program, Boston Private Industry Council, Emma Bowen Foundation, CLA, KP Launch, TIP at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Fidelity, and GSA Pathways.

• 1 fully virtual, entrepreneurship-focused option: Young Founders Lab, useful if you want business exposure through building a real startup rather than interning at an existing organization, with full financial aid available.

• 4 income or residency-restricted programs: Chicago Summer Business Institute (household income under $80,000), Boston PIC (Boston Public Schools), Federal Reserve Bank of Boston TIP, and Meta Summer Academy (specific CA cities).

• 1 scholarship-based program rather than a paid role: the Warner Bros. Reach Honorship Program, offering a $5,000 scholarship over four years.

• Most free internships run 4 to 8 weeks over the summer, with some, like GSA Pathways, extending into the academic year.

15 Free Business Internships for High School Students

1. Chicago Summer Business Institute

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Cost: None. A stipend is paid

Program Dates: Varies based on specific internship (typically 6 weeks over the summer)

Application Deadline: March 31

Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors; resident of Chicago, minimum 3.0 average GPA; household income below $80,000

The Chicago Summer Business Institute gives you the chance to spend your summer working inside the financial services industry instead of only reading about it. You'll be matched with an employer where you could work in accounting, taxation, administration, banking, or other business functions, depending on your placement. Alongside your internship, you'll attend workshops, hear from guest speakers, and meet professionals working across the finance sector. By the end of the summer, you'll have workplace experience and a much better understanding of how financial institutions operate day to day.

2. Young Founders Lab

Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.

Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops 

Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students

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!

The Young Founder’s Lab is a start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a complex problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideation, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. The program is an excellent opportunity to delve into the world of business in high school and have a space to explore multiple theoretical as well as practical frameworks that lead to a successful business. You can check out the brochure for the program here.

3. Young Entrepreneurs Program

Location: Across Kansas City

Cost: Free; pays an hourly wage plus a scholarship upon completion

Program Dates: Session 1: June 1 - June 26; Session 2: July 6 to July 31

Application Deadline: Typically early February

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors based in the Kansas City metro area

The Young Entrepreneurs Program connects high school students with growing companies across the Kansas City area for a summer internship. Depending on your placement, you could spend your time working in marketing, finance, sales, analytics, product management, or business operations while learning directly from professionals. Previous students have worked with companies in technology, engineering, accounting, transportation, and financial services, giving each internship a different experience. Throughout the programme, you'll see how businesses operate, contribute to everyday projects, and build workplace skills that are difficult to develop inside a classroom. It's a practical way to explore business before choosing a college major.

4. Ladder Internship Program

Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.

Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.

Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). 

Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

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! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long. Apply now!

5. Boston Private Industry Council Internship Program

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Stipend: $15–$18 per hour

Dates: July–August; varies based on employer placement

Application Deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: High school students, grades 9–12; minimum age 16 by July 1; enrolled in Boston Public Schools; authorized to work in the United States

The Boston Private Industry Council helps high school students find paid summer internships across a wide range of industries. Your placement depends on your interests, with opportunities in business, finance, technology, healthcare, architecture, and life sciences. If you choose a business or finance placement, you could work on customer service, administration, marketing, financial operations, or technology projects while learning how professional workplaces function. Many students are placed with banks, investment firms, management companies, and other financial organisations where they spend six to seven weeks building practical experience. Along the way, you'll develop workplace skills that carry well beyond the summer.

6. The Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship

Location: Partner companies across the United States

Cost: Free to apply; a stipend is paid 

Dates: Generally start in May or June; minimum 8 continuous weeks; full-time, 35–40 hours/week

Application Deadline: Applications are processed on a rolling basis

Eligibility: High school senior graduating in Spring or later; minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; interest in media, entertainment, or tech; must be at least 18 years old before internship starts; must be authorized to work in the US without sponsorship

If you're interested in the business side of media, entertainment, or technology, the Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship gives you the chance to learn directly from people working in the industry. You'll spend at least eight weeks in a paid, full-time internship where you could work alongside journalists, producers, business executives, sales teams, or public relations professionals, depending on your placement. As you settle into your role, you'll also receive mentorship from industry professionals who can help you understand different career paths and answer questions about the field. The programme includes professional development workshops and conferences, giving you opportunities to meet people from across the media and entertainment industry while building experience that carries beyond the summer.

7. Warner Bros. Reach Honorship Program

Location: Burbank, California

Cost: $5,000 scholarship distributed in annual installments of $1,250 over four years

Dates: Not specified

Application Deadline: Winter application cycle; early February or early March

Eligibility: High school seniors; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0; planning to enroll in an accredited college or university; passionate about careers in entertainment, media, or animation; strong verbal and written communication skills required

The Warner Bros. Reach Honorship Program is designed for high school seniors who want to explore careers behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. You'll learn how departments like marketing, finance, communications, human resources, and business operations work together to bring films, television, and digital content to audiences. Depending on the opportunities available, you'll also gain exposure to areas such as content development, post-production, and editing. Along with career development opportunities, selected students receive a scholarship that is paid over four years while they continue their education. Since only a small number of students are chosen each year, the programme is highly competitive.

8. CLA High School Internship Program

Location: Select CLA offices across the United States

Stipend: Paid

Dates: 6–8 weeks typically, mid-June – August

Application Deadline: Typically, early January

Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are between the ages of 16 and 18 and authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for an employment visa

The CLA High School Internship Program introduces you to the world of accounting and professional services through paid work experience. During the internship, you'll spend time with professionals working in accounting, taxation, audit, forensic accounting, and wealth advisory while helping with real projects across different industries. You'll see how teams work with clients, solve business problems, and manage financial information throughout the engagement. As the weeks go by, you'll gain a better understanding of the different career paths available inside an accounting firm and the skills those roles require. It's a practical way to explore the profession before choosing a college major.

9. KP Launch High School Program

Location: Kaiser Permanente in a Northern California designated service area

Cost: Paid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; placements based on site availability and program needs

Dates: June 15–July 31

Application Deadline: January 9

Eligibility: Age 16 or older; priority given to 11th and 12th graders; must reside near the applying medical center; must be eligible to work in the US; work permit required if under 18; must be available 20 hours/week for the full program duration

The KP Launch High School Program gives you a chance to explore how one of the largest healthcare organisations operates beyond hospitals and clinics. Over six to eight weeks, you'll work alongside professionals in administrative and business roles while learning how different teams support patient care behind the scenes. You'll also be paired with mentors who can answer questions about careers in healthcare and share their own experiences. Throughout the programme, you'll take part in workshops, networking events, and community service activities that help you build workplace and communication skills. By the end of the summer, you'll have a much clearer understanding of the business side of healthcare.

10. Federal Reserve Bank of Boston TIP Intern Program

Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and partner placements in Greater Boston

Cost: Free. A stipend is paid

Dates: Starts with a summer work experience; high-performing interns may be selected for an extended year-round program; hybrid format (both virtual and onsite work plans available)

Application Deadline: Not specified 

Eligibility: High school students who have completed their sophomore year in the Boston Public Schools; the program specifically targets marginalized and lower-income youth in the Greater Boston area

The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston's Today's Interns, Tomorrow's Professionals programme begins by helping you build workplace skills before matching you with a role that fits your interests. Depending on your placement, you could work in finance, accounting, technology, economic research, community development, or human resources while learning from professionals across the Bank. You'll contribute to real projects, understand how different departments support the organisation, and gain experience that strengthens your resume before college. Students who perform well during the summer may also be invited to continue in the programme during the school year, giving them the chance to build experience over a much longer period.

11. Fidelity High School Internship Program

Location: Fidelity’s Boston office (Exact placement location depends on the available Fidelity programme and region)

Stipend: Paid 

Dates: Five-week summer internship (exact dates not specified)

Application Deadline: Not specified; applications typically open in February

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors

Fidelity's High School Internship Program gives you an introduction to the financial services industry by placing you alongside professionals for five weeks during the summer. You'll see how different teams work together while helping with projects that may involve financial analysis, data, research, and day-to-day business operations. As you work with your team, you'll gain a better understanding of how investment and financial services companies make decisions and support their clients. You'll also have opportunities to ask questions, learn from experienced professionals, and see how different careers fit together inside a large financial organisation.

12. General Services Administration Pathways Internship Program

Location: GSA offices across the United States

Stipend: Paid, starting at GS-4 pay grade level; varies as per location

Dates: Academic year and summer (June – August)

Application Deadline: Mid-February; applications typically open on USAJOBS in October and again in February for very short windows (often only 10 business days)

Eligibility: Students in an accredited high school; U.S. citizens

The General Services Administration Pathways Internship Program lets you explore how business and procurement work inside the U.S. federal government. You can choose between a Business and Industry pathway or a Contracting pathway, depending on the kind of work that interests you. If you choose Business and Industry, you'll learn how government agencies purchase goods and services and support projects across different departments. In the Contracting pathway, you'll spend time working on procurement, contract administration, vendor management, and other tasks that keep government operations running. Along the way, you'll gain experience in a professional federal workplace while learning how public sector organisations manage large-scale projects.

13. Meta Summer Academy

Location: East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, and Redwood City, California

Cost: Free; stipend provided (varies from year to year)

Dates: June 15–July 24; 30 hours per week, full 6-week commitment required

Application Deadline: February 14

Eligibility: Current high school sophomores only; full-year residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, or Redwood City, CA; minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA

Meta Summer Academy introduces you to the many careers that keep a technology company running beyond software engineering. During the six-week programme, you'll meet employees from different teams, shadow professionals at work, and learn how departments across the company collaborate. You'll attend workshops, develop communication and teamwork skills, and explore careers in both business and technology through practical activities and discussions. Throughout the programme, you'll also work on projects that help you understand how large technology companies operate behind the scenes. By the end of the summer, you'll have a clearer picture of the different career paths available in the tech industry.

14. Jimerson Birr Internship

Location: Jacksonville, Florida

Cost: Free

Dates: 4–6 weeks in the summer (exact dates vary)

Application Deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: High school students; students preparing to enter their first year of college; interest in business, legal services, communications, marketing, accounting, or information technology

The Jimerson Birr Internship introduces you to the business side of a law firm by placing you in the department that best matches your interests. Depending on your placement, you could work with teams in communications, marketing, accounting, legal services, or information technology while learning how each department supports the firm's work. Throughout the internship, you'll work closely with department leaders and assist with ongoing projects, giving you a practical understanding of how a professional office operates. You'll also see how legal services rely on business, finance, technology, and communication teams working together every day.

15. NARA Voluntary Internship Program

Location: Various NARA facilities across the U.S. 

Cost: Free

Dates: The program typically takes place over 2-5 months and aligns with academic sessions, i.e., Summer, Fall, Spring

Application Deadline: Varies by session; Summer: Late March; Fall: Early July; Spring: Mid-December

Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students

The National Archives and Records Administration gives you the opportunity to work inside a federal agency while exploring a wide range of business and administrative careers. Depending on your interests, you could support teams working in communications, accounting, financial management, human resources, operations, logistics, public affairs, marketing, or records management. As you contribute to everyday projects, you'll also learn how the National Archives preserves government records and makes them accessible to the public. The programme runs during the summer, fall, and spring, making it easier to fit around your academic schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are these free business internships actually paid?

Many are. Chicago Summer Business Institute, the Young Entrepreneurs Program, Boston Private Industry Council, and several others are free to apply to but pay a stipend or hourly wage once you're placed.

2. Is there a free option to build my own business instead of interning at an organization?

Young Founders Lab is fully virtual and free to explore with need-based financial aid, letting you build a real revenue-generating startup with mentorship from professionals at Google, Microsoft, and X, rather than joining an existing company's internship program.

3. Which internships are restricted by income or location?

Chicago Summer Business Institute requires a household income under $80,000, Boston Private Industry Council requires enrollment in Boston Public Schools, and Meta Summer Academy is limited to specific Northern California cities.