15 Online Finance Camps for High School Students
If you are drawn toward business, entrepreneurship, or the world of investing, finance is a skill worth picking up sooner rather than later.
What do online finance camps for high school students involve?
Online finance camps range from self-paced courses covering personal finance and investing basics to live, instructor-led programs that use Bloomberg terminals, Excel modeling, and real market data. For a modest investment, you get real access to advanced subjects, hands-on project work, and a community of students who take learning as seriously as you do.
Why attend an online finance camp in high school?
Finance is a foundational skill that improves almost every other area of business thinking, from pricing a product to evaluating a startup idea to understanding how markets respond to news. The earlier you build that foundation, the more useful it becomes, since financial reasoning compounds in the same way that money does. Starting in high school gives you a real head start on understanding how economic decisions are made at every level.
Here are 15 online finance camps for high school students worth considering. For related opportunities, check out our guides on finance workshops for high school students and investment and trading programs for high school students.
Quick Look
1 fully free program: Morgan Stanley Finance Academy (JumpStart Scholars), free but restricted to high school seniors and highly selective
2 self-paced programs with no fixed schedule: New York Institute of Finance Young Finance Scholar ($950, ages 13-17) and Notre Dame Creating and Building Wealth ($1,795, rolling enrollment)
Paid programs: range from $950 (NYIF Young Finance Scholar) to $4,099 (Wharton Financial Decision Making); financial aid available at Young Founders Lab and Ladder Internship
3 programs that include a capstone project: Northwestern Finance: Think Like an Investor (investment recommendation), USC Finance (fintech business concept), and Notre Dame Creating and Building Wealth (personal financial plan or portfolio)
3 programs open to students aged 13 and up: Georgetown Pre-College Finance, Northwestern Finance: Think Like an Investor, and Notre Dame Creating and Building Wealth
Most directly relevant to startup finance or fintech specifically: Rice University Entrepreneurship: From Ideas to Impact in Fintech and Columbia Essentials of Business, Finance, and Economics
15 Online Finance Camps for High School Students
1. Wharton Global Youth Program (Financial Decision Making)
Location: Online
Cost: $4,099
Program Dates: June 15–26 or July 6–17
Application Deadline: Priority deadline is January 28
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9–12; international students are welcome
Financial Decision Making is a two-week online program from Wharton Global Youth that introduces high school students to core concepts in personal finance, investing, and economics. Through a combination of live lectures, recitation sessions, group discussions, and independent work, you examine how financial decisions affect individuals, businesses, and economies. The curriculum covers topics such as budgeting, credit, debt, investing, inflation, banking systems, and financial markets, helping you understand how these concepts connect to everyday life. You also work with financial data and case studies to evaluate trends, compare options, and practice evidence-based decision-making. Along the way, you explore broader themes such as wealth management, long-term investing, and ethical considerations in finance.
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 linkhere!
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.
You will learn about finance, the basics of investing, and understand the financial aspects of running a business. 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. Georgetown Pre-College Courses in Finance and Law
Location: Online
Cost: Enrichment Courses: $1,895 | College Credit Courses: $3,995
Program Dates: Multiple course sessions offered throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; subject to course availability
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and older; international students are eligible
Georgetown's online pre-college courses in Finance and Law introduce you to foundational concepts in financial systems, banking, markets, and legal studies through university-designed coursework. You can choose between enrichment and college-credit pathways depending on your academic goals and preferred level of commitment. The courses combine readings, lectures, assignments, and discussions that encourage you to analyze financial and legal issues from multiple perspectives. Throughout the program, you complete structured exercises and apply academic frameworks to case studies and scenario-based activities. Teaching assistants and mentors provide guidance and feedback on coursework as you progress through the curriculum. Most courses also include a final project that allows you to synthesize what you have learned in a focused area of interest.
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. You will contribute to active company initiatives, building skills in research, financial analysis, strategy, product development, marketing, or operations, depending on your placement. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long. Apply now!
5. Bentley University Wall Street 101
Location: Online and On-Campus (Bentley University, Waltham, MA)
Cost: $1,490 (online) | Higher tuition for commuter and residential formats
Program Dates: Multiple one-week sessions during the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until June 1 (space permitting)
Eligibility: High school students; residential students must be at least 16 years old by September 1. Some courses recommend basic familiarity with finance concepts.
Bentley University’s Wall Street 101 introduces high school students to core areas of finance through specialized courses such as Personal Finance, Stock Market & Investment Research, FinTech for Startups, Global Finance and Trade, and Macroeconomics & Financial Markets. The program combines faculty-led instruction with practical activities that mirror how financial professionals analyze markets and evaluate investment opportunities. You may work on stock valuations, trading simulations, investment research, policy debates, or entrepreneurial projects focused on financial technology. Students also gain exposure to industry-standard tools and databases commonly used in the finance sector. Collaborative assignments encourage you to develop analytical thinking, communication, and presentation skills while working in teams.
6. UCLA Summer Sessions: Introduction to Investment
Location: Online or UCLA Campus, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Virtual: $2,330
Program Dates: July 13 – July 31
Application Deadline: Department deadline: June 12; Virtual registration: July 3
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 (Spring) who are at least 15 years old by June 22. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.2.
UCLA’s Introduction to Investments is a three-week pre-college program that provides high school students with a structured introduction to investing, financial markets, and personal finance while earning university credit. Through lectures led by UCLA faculty and smaller discussion sessions facilitated by economics students, you explore how financial systems operate and how investment decisions are made. The curriculum covers topics such as stocks, bonds, commodities, banking, economic cycles, valuation methods, venture capital, private equity, and international investing. You will also examine the role of institutions such as the Federal Reserve and learn how financial markets influence both businesses and everyday life.
7. New York Institute of Finance Young Finance Scholar (YFS) Program
Location: Online
Cost: $950
Program Dates: Self-paced; available year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Students ages 13–17
The Young Finance Scholar Program from the New York Institute of Finance introduces you to core concepts in business, economics, and financial decision-making through a structured online curriculum. Across approximately 50 hours of self-paced learning, you explore topics such as financial statements, entrepreneurship, personal finance, investing, banking, insurance, and capital markets. The program also examines how businesses raise capital through mechanisms like IPOs and how mergers and acquisitions shape corporate growth. Alongside technical topics, you study ethics in business and finance, helping you understand the broader responsibilities that accompany financial decision-making. The curriculum is organized into thematic modules that allow you to progress at your own pace while building a comprehensive understanding of how financial systems operate.
8. Teach Me Wall Street
Location: Virtual
Cost: $497–$997 (varies by program)
Program Dates: Multiple summer sessions (June–August), winter sessions (December–January), and extended investing competitions throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until programs reach capacity
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
Teach Me Wall Street offers a series of online finance programs designed to introduce you to investing, financial markets, and personal money management through live instruction from finance professionals. Throughout the program, you examine how stock markets function, evaluate companies, and explore concepts such as risk, diversification, budgeting, credit, and compound interest. Live classes incorporate market discussions, investment simulations, and small-group activities that encourage active participation. If you are interested in gaining a broader understanding of finance, you can progress from foundational concepts to more advanced investment analysis over multiple sessions. The program also includes opportunities to participate in simulated investing contests where you apply financial concepts to portfolio-building exercises.
9. Northwestern Pre-College Program - Finance: Think Like an Investor
Location: Online
Cost: $1,895
Program Dates: Flexible 1-week, 2-week, and 4-week sessions; next cohort begins June 7
Application Deadline: May 31 (for the June cohort)
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and above
Northwestern University's Finance: Think Like an Investor course introduces high school students to the core concepts that drive financial markets and investment decision-making. Through a structured online curriculum, you explore topics such as financial markets, economic fundamentals, investment analysis, private equity, and financial statement evaluation. The program emphasizes practical application, using case studies to demonstrate how finance professionals assess opportunities and manage risk. A major component of the program is a capstone project in which you analyze an investment opportunity, build financial projections, and develop a strategic recommendation. The flexible online format allows you to complete coursework on your own schedule while engaging with multimedia lessons and simulations.
10. NextGen Bootcamp Excel, Finance, & Investing Summer Program Live Online
Location: Online (Live Online or Self-Paced)
Cost: $1,299–$1,499
Program Dates: Multiple sessions available throughout the summer; examples include June 29–July 7 and August 10–14
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment until sessions fill
Eligibility: Designed for high school and college students interested in finance, business, investing, or entrepreneurship; no prior experience required
This online bootcamp combines financial literacy, investing concepts, and Excel training into a single project-based program. Over approximately 25 hours of live instruction, you learn how to use Excel for tasks such as data analysis, chart creation, financial modeling, PivotTables, and workflow automation. The finance component introduces topics including stock valuation, financial statements, investing fundamentals, and common metrics used to evaluate companies. You also examine how AI tools are increasingly used in financial analysis and investment research. Classes are delivered in small groups, allowing for interaction with instructors and opportunities to ask questions throughout the course.
11. Columbia University - Essentials of Business, Finance, and Economics
Location: Online
Cost: Varies by session; Online courses average $2,830 per week
Program Dates: October 9 – November 22 (Fall Session)
Application Deadline: Varies by enrollment availability
Eligibility: High school students interested in business, finance, and economics
Columbia University's Essentials of Business, Finance, and Economics course provides an introduction to the concepts that shape modern businesses and financial markets. You explore how companies raise capital, evaluate investment opportunities, and make strategic financial decisions. The curriculum introduces key financial instruments, including stocks and bonds, while examining how markets determine the value of companies and securities. Through discussions and case-based learning, you analyze how economic principles influence business operations, investment strategies, and financial risk. The program also explores the relationship between firms, investors, and broader market forces in the global economy.
12. Rice University - Entrepreneurship: From Ideas to Impact in Fintech
Location: Online
Cost: $1,795
Program Dates: Multiple course lengths available throughout the year (1-, 2-, and 4-week formats)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and above
This online course explores how entrepreneurship and financial technology intersect to reshape modern financial services. You’ll examine topics such as digital payments, online lending, blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, and investment platforms through case studies of well-known fintech companies. The curriculum also introduces the business side of innovation, including customer acquisition, market opportunities, branding, and revenue models. A key component is a capstone project, where you develop a fintech business concept or propose an expansion for an existing company. Mentor support is available throughout the course to provide feedback on assignments and project development. The flexible online format allows you to complete coursework on your own schedule.
13. Morgan Stanley Finance Academy (JumpStart Scholars in Finance)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Program Dates: Five-month program (typically November–April)
Application Deadline: Applications generally open in early fall
Eligibility: High school seniors
The Morgan Stanley Finance Academy is a virtual career exploration program designed for high school seniors interested in learning about the financial services industry. Over five months, you attend biweekly sessions led by Morgan Stanley professionals covering topics such as financial markets, asset management, entrepreneurship, wealth building, corporate finance, and leadership. The curriculum also includes career development and professional skills training, helping you better understand different pathways within the finance sector. Throughout the program, you receive mentorship from industry professionals and engage with peers who share similar academic and career interests. A major component of the experience is a capstone project in which teams analyze a business case inspired by actual client scenarios. The program concludes with a capstone competition.
14. USC Pre-College Online – Finance: From Personal Literacy to Global Markets
Location: Online
Cost: $1,990 tuition + $35 application fee
Program Dates: Multiple 2-week and 4-week sessions offered year-round (with summer cohorts beginning June 22, July 6, and July 20)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (typically closes 5 days before each cohort start date)
Eligibility: High school students aged 14 and older
USC's Finance: From Personal Literacy to Global Markets starts with everyday financial decisions and gradually expands into larger questions about investing, markets, and the global economy. You'll explore topics such as budgeting, saving, stock investing, corporate finance, bond markets, and financial planning. The course also introduces newer areas of finance, including blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, and examines how they are influencing modern financial systems. Throughout the course, you'll apply concepts through calculations, case studies, and practical exercises. The experience culminates in a capstone project where you'll design a fintech business idea and evaluate its market potential, revenue model, and feasibility.
15. Notre Dame Pre-College Online – Finance: Creating and Building Wealth
Location: Online
Cost: $1,795 per course
Program Dates: Multiple 2-week and 4-week cohorts available year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; typically closes 1 week before the cohort begins
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and older; international students welcome
Notre Dame's Creating and Building Wealth course focuses on the financial decisions people make throughout their lives and the principles that shape long-term wealth creation. You'll explore topics such as budgeting, credit, investing, portfolio diversification, risk management, and compound interest. The lessons also connect personal finance to larger financial markets, helping you understand how individual decisions fit into the broader economy. Because the course is self-paced, you can work through the material on your own schedule while receiving support from mentors. The course concludes with a capstone project where you develop your own financial plan, investment strategy, or portfolio based on the concepts you've explored.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there free online finance camps for high school students?
The Morgan Stanley Finance Academy is the only fully free program on this list, though it is restricted to high school seniors and is highly selective. It runs from November through April, covering financial markets, asset management, and corporate finance with biweekly sessions and a capstone competition. Most other programs on this list charge tuition ranging from $950 to $4,099. Young Founders Lab and Ladder Internship both offer need-based financial aid and include substantial finance-relevant content as part of their broader startup and business programs.
2. Which online finance camps are best for students who want to focus on investing specifically?
Four programs stand out for investment-focused content. Wharton Financial Decision Making covers investing, market behavior, and financial analysis through live lectures and Excel exercises. Bentley Wall Street 101 includes a Stock Market and Investment Research track with hands-on analysis tools. UCLA Introduction to Investments covers stocks, bonds, commodities, valuation methods, and venture capital, with university credit available. Teach Me Wall Street includes simulated investing contests alongside live market instruction. Northwestern Finance: Think Like an Investor concludes with a full investment analysis capstone.
3. Which programs are best for students interested in fintech or entrepreneurial finance rather than traditional investing?
Rice University's Entrepreneurship: From Ideas to Impact in Fintech is the most directly fintech-focused program on this list, covering blockchain, digital payments, and startup business models. The Young Founders Lab is the strongest option if you want to apply financial thinking to an actual venture: you work on pricing, market sizing, cost structures, and revenue models as part of building a real startup, with mentorship from professionals at companies like Google, Microsoft, and X. Columbia's Essentials of Business, Finance, and Economics also connects financial theory to how companies raise capital and make strategic decisions.