14 Free Finance Internship Opportunities for High Schoolers
Discover 14 free finance internships for high schoolers to understand, build skills, and boost your college application!
If you're thinking about a career in finance, starting early can make a big difference. High school internships give you the chance to see how the industry works. These opportunities let you apply what you've learned in class to industry problems. You’ll understand the various roles in finance, such as investment analysis, accounting, or budgeting, and which ones might suit you best.
The finance internships listed below are designed for students like you, curious and eager to learn. You will also pick up practical skills like Excel, financial modeling, and communication, while meeting professionals who can guide you. A finance internship on your resume can also show initiative when you apply to college, especially if you’re applying to finance programs.
Here is a list of 14 free finance internships for high school students:
1. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote. You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost/Stipend: Full financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
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. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, you work closely with your managers and a Ladder Coach on projects and present your work to the company. You are offered one-on-one training in communication, time management, amongst other skills. You will also have the opportunity to attend group training sessions with other interns in your cohort. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
2. Young Founder’s Lab
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Full financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Varies according to program type
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
Young Founders Lab is a finance internship for high school students where you work in a team to launch a real startup under the guidance of mentors from companies like Microsoft, Y Combinator, and Meta. You’ll build a business model, test your product, and pitch to actual investors. The program simulates a real-world finance and entrepreneurship setting. You’ll gain hands-on experience in budgeting, financial planning, and teamwork. Weekly sessions include guest speakers, office hours, and presentations. It’s a fast-paced, structured environment where you learn by doing.
3. Fidelity High School Internships
Location: Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: July - August
Application Deadline: Not Specified
Eligibility: High school students
Fidelity’s Boundless Internship exposes you to careers in finance, technology, and customer service. You’ll work on projects that reflect the company’s day-to-day operations, guided by mentors and professionals. Expect to learn skills like client communication, financial literacy, and teamwork. You also attend workshops, participate in networking events, and hear directly from Fidelity leaders. Some programs include office tours and resume-building sessions. This finance internship for high school students is a structured, paid opportunity ideal for students curious about business, finance, and tech.
4. NAIOP-Drexel Summer Real Estate Program
Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free (includes housing, meals, and materials)
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – July 22
Application Deadline: March 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
This 10-day summer program at Drexel introduces you to commercial real estate finance. You’ll live on campus and join team-based projects. You’ll study deal structuring, investment analysis, and design planning. Industry mentors guide you through site visits and zoning challenges. You’ll meet developers, tour active projects, and present to CRE experts. You’ll build financial analysis, public speaking, and teamwork skills. The experience combines classroom sessions with on-site exposure. It’s focused on underrepresented students and offers a real-world glimpse into CRE careers.
5. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: Multiple CLA offices across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 17–July 19
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–18 must have work authorization in the US
In this finance internship for high school students, you’ll spend four weeks working in CLA’s accounting, tax, or advisory teams. You tackle real projects and case studies and learn about client service and professional tools. You shadow professionals at different levels and attend workshops. You also join team-based assignments that show how firms serve clients and communities. The program includes office site visits and chances to present your findings. You build skills in financial analysis, communication, and teamwork. CLA places interns in diverse locations and connects you with FBLA peers for extra networking.
6. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Local nonprofit partner organizations across eligible U.S. communities with a summit in Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Very selective
Dates: Eight-week June - August, including one Summit week in Washington, D.C. (July 21–26)
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: US high school juniors and seniors, authorized to work in U.S, residents in eligible market areas, not Bain or family employees, not prior participants
You’ll complete an eight-week paid internship at a local nonprofit. You work 35 hours weekly. You focus on community service, civic engagement, and business skills. You gain leadership, teamwork, and financial literacy through daily project work. You also attend workshops and network with nonprofit professionals. During Summit week in Washington, D.C., you meet peers from across the country. You engage with government, business, and nonprofit leaders and develop presentations and reflect on local impact.
7. Internship at JP Morgan & Chase
Location: Office locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Part-time during the school year; full-time in the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
In this finance internship for high school students, you begin with a short virtual experience that simulates tasks in business or software engineering. You learn coding fundamentals (like Java), data analysis, and basic financial systems through guided tasks in Tech Connect. If selected, you may join in-person school programs or internships offering real‑world exposure. You work on live projects, attend workshops, and network with professionals. Some tracks include mentorship, site visits, or presentations. The program highlights tech and finance intersections, preparing you with practical skills and industry context.
8. Morgan Stanley Finance Academy
Location: Virtual (with potential in‑person capstone event in NYC)
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: U.S. high school seniors from underrepresented communities
In this program, you join a virtual, five‑month Finance Academy with guided sessions led by Morgan Stanley analysts in areas like investment banking, equities, and capital markets. You learn industry basics, IPO structure, private equity, sustainable finance, and build financial literacy and networking skills. You work in teams on a capstone case based on a real transaction. Finalists may receive an NYC trip, visit the trading floor, and meet alumni and leaders. You get mentorship, professional feedback, and live Zoom meetings with client hosts.
9. U.S. Treasury Headquarters Student Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions—Spring (Jan–May), Summer (May–Aug), Fall (Sep–Dec)
Application Deadline: Spring term apply in October; Summer in December; Fall in June
Eligibility: U.S. citizens enrolled or accepted at an accredited high school or college
Through this finance internship for high school students, you work in the Treasury's main offices on projects that shape economic and financial policy. You analyze data, draft briefings, and research policy areas like tax, domestic finance, or national security. You attend Congressional hearings or interagency meetings and report on findings and may also help coordinate departmental events or contribute to planning and budgeting initiatives. Mentors and supervisors guide your work and you connect with professionals across offices.
10. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) High School Business Internship
Location: Varies according to internship position (includes virtual options)
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: August–May
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: High school students
In this program, you’ll spend part of each school day working alongside PNNL’s business staff in areas like finance, operations, or communications. You attend leadership workshops, lab demos, and field trips to learn how a national lab operates. Your mentor guides you and helps with real tasks, like organizing data or drafting communication materials. You’ll gain skills in teamwork, office tools, and project planning. You also earn high school credit via your school’s work-based learning program. It’s an academic-year experience that mixes classroom study with hands-on work.
11. 1435 Capital Management LLC – Venture Analyst Internship
Location: Remote + in-person visits to Princeton, NJ
Stipend: Paid
Program Dates: June – August (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: First week of April
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (must be U.S.-based, age 16+, and authorized to work in the U.S.)
This 10-week finance internship for high school students places you at a venture capital firm where you help evaluate startups and investment opportunities. You'll conduct market research, analyze financials, and support deal sourcing. Working alongside the investment team, you’ll attend meetings with founders, contribute to due diligence, and study industry trends. Only a few high school students are selected each year. After the summer, you may continue through the Homeroom Fund, a student-run venture fund.
12. Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP)
Location: High-growth startups in the Kansas City area & Columbus, Ohio
Stipend: Paid + Scholarship
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Session 1 (June 2 – June 27); Session 2 (July 7 – August 1)
Application Deadline: February 17
Eligibility: High school students living in Kansas City or Columbus
You join a free, guided entrepreneurship program led by university students. You work in teams to build venture ideas from the ground up and learn skills in financial planning, business modeling, and pitching. Sessions include guest speakers, hands-on workshops, and mentorship from college-level entrepreneurs. You also attend a pitch night to present your venture to judges and peers. Chapters may offer day-long immersive events or longer after-school formats.
13. Chicago Summer Business Institute
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 6 weeks through summer
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Chicago high school sophomores and juniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA and a family income below $80,000
You’ll spend six weeks working at a corporate host site in fields like finance, law, or government. During this finance internship for high school students, you’ll gain office experience, attend professional development workshops, and participate in weekly seminars focused on financial literacy and career skills. The program blends hands-on work with mentorship and offers a realistic view of professional environments. You also get a chance to meet city leaders and engage in community service.
14. Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) internship
Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Moderate
Dates: Usually in summer
Application Deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: Boston public high school students who have completed their sophomore year
Through the TIP program at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, you’ll get a real-world look into finance, economics, and public service. You work on administrative and research tasks, attend professional development workshops, and interact with Bank employees. You also take part in community service and team projects. TIP helps you build professional habits and communication skills in a structured, supportive setting.
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!