15 Leadership Summer Programs for Low-Income High School Students
High school is full of smart students. What often separates people later is who can take responsibility, communicate clearly, and keep things moving when others lose focus. Leadership summer programs are designed around exactly those skills.
What do leadership summer programs cover?
Most of these programs teach leadership through action. You might lead a project, work on community issues, practice public speaking, or solve group challenges where you have to organize people and make decisions. You also learn basic professional skills like communication, time management, and teamwork, which matter in every field.
What are the leadership program options for low-income students?
The best part is that you do not need money to access the strongest programs. Many leadership summer programs are free, many offer full financial aid, and some provide stipends. That removes the biggest barrier and makes it possible for students to join programs that would normally feel out of reach.
To explore more options, you can have a look at virtual leadership programs. For international exposure, you can check out leadership programs abroad.
With that in mind, here are 15 leadership summer programs for low-income high school students!
15 Leadership Summer Programs for Low-Income High School Students
1. Subiendo Academy - McCombs School of Business, The University of Texas at Austin
Cost: Free
Location: McCombs School of Business, Austin, TX
Program Dates: June 14–18
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: You must be a current Texas high school junior
Subiendo Academy at the McCombs School of Business at UT Austin puts you in a team setting where you work through real problems in healthcare, energy and environment, and education. You spend most of the program breaking down a challenge, deciding what matters, and building a presentation that can survive questions. The leadership training is direct and practical, with workshops on teamwork, decision-making, and public speaking, plus a communications module that focuses on how to speak clearly and structure an argument. You also get time with business leaders, policymakers, and educators through planned networking and mentor conversations, not random “guest speaker” moments.
2. Young Founders Lab
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
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 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 ideations, 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. Business Leadership Program (BLP) – Leeds School of Business
Cost: Free
Location: University of Colorado Boulder, Leeds School of Business, Boulder, CO
Program Dates: June 21–June 27
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: You must be a Colorado resident or attend a Colorado high school and be a current high school junior or an incoming Leeds School of Business first-year student
The Business Leadership Program at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Leeds School of Business is centered on a team case challenge. You work with other students to design and present a marketing campaign for a corporate partner, which forces you to think strategically and communicate clearly. Leadership here is tied to how you manage group work, handle feedback, and keep a project on track under time pressure. Faculty and staff guide the process, but the teams are expected to drive the work. You also meet business professionals through structured sessions connected to the case project.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid is available
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Program 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 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. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. The program supports leadership development through practical responsibilities, professional communication, time management, and problem-solving. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company.
5. Sadie Nash Leadership Project – Summer Institute
Cost: Free; stipend of $450 based on participation
Location: Sadie Nash Leadership Project, New York City & Newark, NJ
Program Dates: July 6–August 13
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: You must be a high school student in grades 9–12 who identifies as a young woman or gender-expansive youth and lives in New York City or Newark; prior Summer Institute participants are not eligible
The Sadie Nash Leadership Project Summer Institute is a six-week program where you spend your days in workshops and group projects focused on leadership, identity, and community work. A lot of the learning comes through structured discussions and collaborative assignments, where you have to speak, listen, and work through disagreement without checking out. You also meet leaders across public service, business, arts, and activism, and those sessions are usually tied to specific themes rather than general inspiration. The field trips are built into the learning, with visits to colleges and institutions that connect leadership to real spaces and systems.
6. Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute (KWLI)
Cost: Free; meals provided for in-person sessions
Location: Indiana University, Kelley School of Business, Bloomington, IN (in-person) or Virtual
Program Dates: April 22 & April 29 (virtual) or June 12 / June 26 / July 10 / July 24 (in-person)
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: You must be a high school sophomore, junior, or senior with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5
The Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute at Indiana University is built around business cases and leadership discussions. You work through real scenarios where you have to choose a direction, justify it, and explain tradeoffs. The program is useful for learning how leadership works inside business settings, where decisions often depend on data, people management, and long-term thinking. You spend time working with other students, which helps you practice collaboration and speaking in a professional environment. Faculty-led sessions also introduce you to how leadership is taught at the college level.
7. CLYLP Los Angeles Institute- Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project
Cost: Free
Location: Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project, Cal State Los Angeles, CA
Program Dates: June 27
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: You must be a California high school sophomore or junior living in Los Angeles County and must not have previously attended a CLYLP institute
The Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project Los Angeles Institute is a civic leadership program that teaches you how local government and public decision-making work, using mock hearings and policy-style discussions. You spend the day doing things like role-based activities that simulate how laws and public programs get debated. The institute also includes direct conversations with elected officials and community leaders, which gives you a realistic look at how people build careers in public service. College planning is included, too, with workshops on admissions and financial aid tied to the larger theme of access.
8. American Legion Boys Nation
Cost: Free
Location: Washington, DC
Program Dates: July 18–26
Application Deadline: Varies by state, Boys State program
Eligibility: You must be a high school junior who is selected as a delegate from your state’s Boys State program and must not have previously participated
American Legion Boys Nation is a national government simulation where you act as a mock U.S. senator and run through the mechanics of federal leadership for an entire week. You spend your time in committee work, party conventions, elections, and legislative sessions, so you are constantly negotiating, speaking, and writing. The structure is strict and fast-paced, which forces you to think on your feet and follow procedure. You also get exposure to Washington, DC institutions through scheduled visits, but the main value is the day-to-day experience of building coalitions and moving bills through a system.
9. FBINAA Youth Leadership Program (YLP)
Cost: Free
Location: FBI National Academy Associates, Quantico, VA & Washington, DC area
Program Dates: July 9–July 17
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: You must be a high school sophomore or junior (ages 14–16 by program start), demonstrate strong academics, physical fitness, and community involvement, and apply through your local FBINAA chapter
The FBINAA Youth Leadership Program focuses on leadership under pressure and ethical decision-making. You take part in structured training on teamwork, situational leadership, and responsibility in high-stakes environments. The program also includes hands-on activities and simulations that require discipline, communication, and fast problem-solving. You spend time on personal development skills like time management, resilience, and stress control, which are treated as leadership tools, not motivational ideas. The experience includes interaction with law enforcement professionals and planned visits in the Washington, DC area.
10. NextGen Latino Leadership Program - Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
Cost: Free
Location: Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Washington, DC
Program Dates: June 7–13 or June 21–27
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: You must be a current high school sophomore or junior, live in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or Washington, DC, and demonstrate interest in civic engagement; preference is given to students with financial need
The NextGen Latino Leadership Program from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute is a civic leadership program held in Washington, DC. You attend workshops that focus on leadership, advocacy, and how policy decisions affect communities. You also meet Members of Congress, CHCI alumni, and national Latino leaders through planned sessions, which give you direct exposure to leadership pathways in government and public service. A major part of the week is learning how to speak about issues clearly and professionally, especially in group settings. You join a national cohort, which also helps you build confidence working with students from different states and backgrounds.
11. LEDA Aspects of Leadership Summer Institute
Cost: Free
Location: Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America, Princeton University & Yale University
Program Dates: Five weeks (summer)
Application Deadline: Varies by application cycle
Eligibility: You must be a high-achieving high school junior from a low-income or under-resourced background
LEDA Aspects of Leadership Summer Institute is a five-week residential program focused on academic leadership and long-term preparation. You spend a lot of time building strong writing skills, learning how to argue clearly, and improving how you express complex ideas. Leadership training comes through debates, simulations, and structured discussions around ethics and public policy. The program also includes college guidance that continues through your senior year, which makes it more intensive than a typical summer experience. Living with a close cohort is part of the design, since leadership is treated as something you practice daily in the community.
12. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Cost: Free (all program costs covered); travel and income-replacement aid are available
Location: Telluride Association, Residential campus (varies by seminar site)
Program Dates: June 21–July 25
Application Deadline: December 3
Eligibility: You must be a high school sophomore or junior (rising junior or senior), between the ages of 15–17, and demonstrate strong intellectual curiosity and commitment to community
Telluride Association Summer Seminar is a six-week residential program where leadership is tied to discussion, responsibility, and shared community life. You spend your days in seminar-style classes focused on power, society, and how systems shape people’s lives. A unique part of the program is shared governance, where students take part in group decisions, budgeting, and community responsibilities. You also develop public speaking and facilitation skills through structured dialogue and group work. The experience expects consistency, preparation, and maturity, because the community depends on everyone doing their part.
13. University of Wisconsin–Whitewater – Business and Leadership Camp
Cost: $575 (resident) / $425 (commuter; financial assistance available)
Location: University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, Whitewater, WI
Program Dates: July 14–18 (dates for upcoming cycle TBA)
Application Deadline: Rolling; registration typically closes once full
Eligibility: High school students and incoming college freshmen ages 14–19
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Business and Leadership Camp is a short program focused on leadership in business settings. You work through workshops in entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, and sales, then apply those ideas in team projects. Leadership comes through communication, collaboration, and learning how to present a business idea in a clear way. Faculty and college mentors guide the sessions, but students are expected to take initiative during challenges and group work. The program ends with a case-style competition where teams present their solutions.
14. EarthCare: The Leadership Challenge for the 21st Century
Cost: Free
Location: Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville, GA
Program Dates: June 7 – June 12
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: You must be a rising high school sophomore, junior, or senior living in the state of Georgia with an interest in STEM, sustainability, or leadership.
EarthCare at Georgia College and State University is a leadership program focused on environmental and sustainability challenges. You work in teams on structured activities that push you to think in systems and consider real tradeoffs. The program includes discussions with Georgia Power professionals and community leaders, which helps connect leadership to real-world decision-making. You build skills in teamwork, public speaking, and ethical reasoning through workshops and group simulations. The residential setup also gives you a full-week environment where you are constantly practicing leadership in a group.
15. Marian University – Klipsch Educators College Leadership Institute
Cost: $295 (need-based scholarships available covering up to 70% of the cost)
Location: Marian University, Indianapolis, IN
Program Dates: June 23–27
Application Deadline: Rolling registrations until full
Eligibility: You must be a current high school student at the time of the program
Marian University’s Klipsch Educators College Leadership Institute is a week-long leadership program with customizable classes. You choose sessions on topics like leadership styles, problem solving, inclusive leadership, and conflict management. The program includes daily small-group Team Talks led by mentors, which help you practice communication and self-awareness in a structured way. You also take part in leadership activities and reflection exercises that connect directly to group behavior and decision-making. Field trips around Indianapolis are included to show how leadership plays out inside organizations and workplaces.