15 Prestigious Finance Summer Programs for High School Students
If you are in high school and interested in finance or business, joining a prestigious finance summer program can be a powerful way to see how the field works beyond textbooks.
What are prestigious finance summer programs for high school students?
These programs introduce you to core concepts such as financial markets, investing, economics, and risk management, while showing how professionals apply them in real-world settings. Many finance summer programs are structured around hands-on projects, case studies, or simulations where you analyze data, evaluate companies, and model financial decisions.
How are prestigious finance summer programs for high school students beneficial?
Top finance programs are often highly selective and offer small cohorts, structured mentorship, and exposure to industry professionals working in banking, consulting, asset management, or related fields. These can help you develop valuable skills for building your own venture. Additionally, they can help with college applications because participation demonstrates interest, proactivity, and enthusiasm.
If you’re also interested in finance research programs, go here, or check here for paid finance internship opportunities.
To help you get started, we have curated a list of 15 prestigious finance summer programs for high school students that stand out for their selectivity, academic challenge and real-world relevance.
15 Prestigious Finance Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Bank of America Student Leaders® Program
Location: Local nonprofit placement (varies by city) + Washington, DC (summit)
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; small cohort per market
Dates: 8 weeks (summer), including July 21–26 for the Washington, DC summit
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors legally authorised to work in the U.S. and residing in eligible locations
The Bank of America Student Leaders® Program is a prestigious summer experience that combines paid work, leadership development, and exposure to finance and public service. You will spend eight weeks working full-time at a local nonprofit organisation partnered with Bank of America, gaining hands-on experience in community impact, organisational operations, and leadership in action. A major highlight of the program is a fully funded, week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC, where you connect with peers from across the country, hear from national leaders, and explore topics such as economic mobility and civic engagement. Throughout the internship, you'll develop professional skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving while contributing meaningfully to your local community. The program emphasises leadership, responsibility, and long-term career readiness, rather than classroom learning alone.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: Virtual (live workshops)
Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small cohort sizes
Dates: Varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Young Founders Lab is a startup program that introduces you to what it takes to build a revenue-generating business from the ground up. You will work through every major stage of entrepreneurship, from problem identification, customer discovery, product development, and early-stage monetisation, while developing a venture that addresses a real-world challenge. The program combines live classes on core business concepts with interactive workshops, case studies, and skill-building sessions that mirror the early stages of entrepreneurship. You also receive mentorship and feedback from experienced entrepreneurs and professionals with backgrounds at companies such as Microsoft, Google, and X. Throughout the program, you collaborate with peers and refine your ideas through structured guidance and participate in panel discussions that help you convert your ideas into viable businesses.
3. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: Select CLA offices across the United States
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (stipend varies by office)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; regional placement with limited slots
Dates: 6–8 weeks (summer, beginning in June)
Application Deadline: Varies by office
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–18 who are authorised to work in the U.S.; full-term commitment required
The CLA High School Internship Program gives you a paid chance to explore careers in accounting, finance, and consulting at a national professional services firm. Depending on your office placement, you will support teams working on financial analysis, tax preparation assistance, auditing processes, and operational reviews for business clients. You'll also be introduced to wealth advisory services and the financial tools used in professional accounting and consulting environments. A key part of the experience is structured mentorship, allowing you to learn directly from experienced professionals while contributing to collaborative projects. You also participate in training sessions and workshops that introduce career pathways across accounting, finance, and business management. This internship is well-suited if you want early, hands-on experience in professional financial services and insight into how large advisory firms operate.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote (work from anywhere)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; stipend varies by start-up
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; small cohorts
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (8–12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours per week
The Ladder Internship Program places you with a high-growth start-up, giving you hands-on exposure to how early-stage companies operate. You will work closely with founders and managers on meaningful projects that may involve strategy, market research, operations, finance, or product development, depending on the start-up's needs and your interests. Many of the participating startups in the program are founded by Y Combinator alumni or leaders who have raised significant venture funding or worked at major tech firms such as Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. Throughout the program, you'll receive structured mentorship from a dedicated Ladder Coach who helps you stay on track, develop professional skills and think critically about your work. You will conclude the internship by presenting your work and insights to the company, helping you develop communication and analytical skills.
5. Fidelity Investments – Boundless High School Internship Program
Location: Boston, MA; Merrimack, NH
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; small cohort
Dates: 5 weeks (summer)
Application Deadline: February (applications open in early 2026)
Eligibility: Female high school students
The Boundless High School Internship Program provides a five-week introduction to careers in financial services at Fidelity Investments. You will work alongside professionals and gain exposure to core business functions such as asset management, operations, technology, and client services, helping you understand how a large financial firm operates on a day-to-day basis. The program is designed around career exploration through hands-on learning, professional development workshops, and structured mentorship. You will also participate in sessions that focus on workplace skills, career pathways, and navigating large financial organizations. Throughout the internship, you gain insight into how different teams collaborate to support Fidelity’s financial products and services. By the end of the program, you'll have a clear sense of whether finance is a field you want to pursue in college and beyond while building early professional experience.
6. Pathways Program – OneAmerica Financial Junior Fellows Program
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid summer job
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited number of fellows
Dates: Summer (full-time)
Application Deadline: January (annually)
Eligibility: High school students and recent high school graduates
The Pathways Junior Fellows Program is a paid, full-time summer opportunity designed to introduce you to careers in financial services through hands-on professional experience. You will work on structured projects at OneAmerica Financial, learning how different departments contribute to financial planning, insurance, and wealth management services. Rather than just observing, you'll take on real responsibilities that help you build accountability, workplace readiness, and practical skills. Each participant is paired with a OneAmerica Financial associate who serves as a mentor, meeting with you regularly to provide guidance, feedback, and insights into career paths in finance. You will also gain exposure to multiple career pathways within financial services through team interactions and professional development sessions.
7. Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP)
Location: Kansas City, MO (primarily in person; limited remote options available)
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid hourly ($12–14/hour) with scholarship upon completion
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; approximately 15 interns per session
Dates: Session 1: June 2 – 27; Session 2: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP) is a highly selective summer internship that places you directly inside Kansas City’s startup ecosystem. You are matched with a high-growth local startup based on your interests, where you work approximately 30 hours per week on real business, strategy, and operational projects. One standout feature of the program is its weekly exposure to the broader startup scene. Each Friday, you visit a different company, allowing you to observe a wide range of industries, business models, and entrepreneurial support organizations. The program emphasizes close mentorship, cohort-based learning, and professional accountability, helping you build practical workplace skills. You also gain access to an active alumni network that supports long-term career and academic growth. In addition to earning an hourly wage, you receive a $2,500 scholarship upon completing both sessions.
8. Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) Program – Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Location: Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited cohort through Boston Public Schools
Dates: Summer (with potential year-round continuation for up to three years)
Application Deadline: Varies annually
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their sophomore year and are enrolled in Boston Public Schools
The Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) Program is a paid work-and-learning internship designed to give you an early, structured introduction to professional careers in finance, technology, and related fields. You begin with a summer internship that combines work experience with job coaching and skill-building workshops, so you're learning while actually doing the work. During the summer, you develop both technical and interpersonal skills, including problem-solving, communication, and conflict resolution, while earning a paycheck. Based on your performance, interest, and available openings, you may be invited to continue in a year-round internship that can extend through your junior and senior years of high school and even into your first year of post-secondary education. Throughout the program, you receive consistent mentorship and academic support focused on long-term career readiness and financial stability.
9. TeenWorks Summer Employment Program
Location: Indianapolis, Anderson, Fort Wayne, and Muncie, IN
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid summer employment
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderate selectivity; teams of 10–13 students
Dates: 6 weeks (summer)
Application Deadline: Rolling (summer applications open)
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in Marion, Delaware, Allen, or Madison counties
The TeenWorks Summer Employment Program provides you with a paid, structured introduction to the workforce through hands-on experience at local nonprofit organizations. You will work in a small team under the supervision of trained TeenWorks staff while contributing to community-based projects such as urban farming, environmental management, park beautification, and youth enrichment initiatives. In addition to daily work responsibilities, you participate in weekly professional development sessions focused on building essential skills such as financial literacy, resume writing, workplace communication, and professional etiquette. The program also includes career exploration activities such as personality and interest assessments, college campus visits, mock interviews, and networking with local professionals. Over the six weeks, you build practical job skills, learn how to budget and manage your earnings, and gain confidence articulating your accomplishments; skills that will support you well beyond your first job.
10. Headquarters Student Internship Program
Location: Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited placements across Treasury offices
Dates: Spring (January–May), Summer (May–August), or Fall (September–December)
Application Deadline: Varies by term (October for spring, December for summer, June for fall)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens enrolled in high school, undergraduate, or graduate programs; must maintain student status throughout the internship
The Headquarters Student Internship Program at the U.S. Department of the Treasury gives you a firsthand look at federal policymaking and public-sector finance at a cabinet-level agency. You will work within the Treasury Department's Departmental Offices, supporting initiatives related to economic growth, financial stability, national security, or internal government operations that keep the federal government running. Depending on your office placement, you might analyze and present data, conduct policy research, draft briefing materials, attend congressional hearings, or assist with strategic planning and management initiatives. The program is designed to help you build analytical, leadership, and professional skills while exploring careers in public service. You are encouraged to apply to up to three Treasury offices aligned with your academic interests, with options spanning domestic and international finance to tax policy, management, and public affairs.
11. Young Finance Scholar (YFS) Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $1,990
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Small cohort; live small-group instruction
Dates: July 20–31
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Students ages 15–18
The Young Finance Scholar (YFS) Program offers a structured, academically focused introduction to finance, economics, and business fundamentals through live virtual classes. You will study core topics such as financial statements, market structures, supply and demand, and key macroeconomic and microeconomic indicators. The curriculum also goes beyond the basics, exploring fiscal and monetary policy, fintech innovation, sustainability in finance, and the historical evolution of Wall Street and global financial systems. Classes are led by industry practitioners and emphasize case-based discussions and guided analytical exercises, helping you connect theory with real-world market behavior. Throughout the program, you strengthen financial reasoning and analytical thinking skills, while learning how theoretical concepts apply to real markets. This program is best suited if you are seeking an overview of finance concepts used across modern financial careers.
12. Bulls Finance Camp
Location: USF Tampa’s Muma College of Business, Tampa, FL
Cost/Stipend: TBD; residential add-on available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 50 students
Dates: summer session
Application Deadline: Registration opens February 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12, including those who have completed 8th grade
Bulls Finance Camp is a summer program that introduces you to core areas of finance through hands-on learning and expert-led instruction. You will explore topics such as personal finance, financial planning, investing, corporate finance, and financial technology while developing practical financial literacy skills. The program blends classroom sessions with guest lectures and networking opportunities featuring industry professionals and faculty affiliated with the USF Federal Credit Union. You will learn to analyze financial data, evaluate financial decisions, and explore potential career pathways within the finance sector. With a limited cohort size, the camp emphasizes individualized attention and mentorship. This program is a strong option if you want an accessible, university-based introduction to modern finance concepts and careers.
13. Finance Institute: Wall Street in the Classroom
Location: Rose Hill Campus, Bronx, NY (hybrid option available)
Cost/Stipend: $1,300 total ($100 non-refundable deposit required); no stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; selective enrollment
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions in summer (June–July)
Application Deadline: Priority registration before April 1; rolling thereafter
Eligibility: Open to all high school students; international students are eligible to attend virtually
Finance Institute: Wall Street in the Classroom is a one-week program designed to give you an early, structured introduction to finance and financial markets. You will study core topics such as time value of money, personal finance, investing, asset allocation, risk management, and alternative investments, including hedge funds, private equity, and cryptocurrency. The course is taught by a former Wall Street global equity trader and emphasizes discussion-based learning, helping you understand how financial concepts apply to fundamental markets. The program also features guest speakers from finance companies and alumni of the Gabelli School of Business, giving you insights into different career paths in the field. You attend sessions either in person or virtually, allowing flexibility while maintaining a challenging academic experience.
14. Wall Street 101 – Bentley University
Location: Bentley University, Waltham, MA (in-person, commuter, residential, and online options available)
Cost/Stipend: $1,490 (online); $2,450 (commuter); $3,380 (residential); limited need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; small, faculty-led classes
Dates: One-week sessions offered throughout summer (multiple courses available)
Application Deadline: Applications open January 15, Rolling admission until June 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; must have completed at least two years of high school coursework
Wall Street 101 is a competitive, hands-on finance program designed to give you hands-on exposure to investing, markets, and financial decision-making at the college level. You can choose from focused one-week courses such as Stock Market & Investment Research, Personal Finance, Macroeconomics & Financial Markets, FinTech for Startups, and Global Finance and Trade. Through faculty-led instruction, you work in small teams to analyze stocks and bonds, build investment pitches, participate in macroeconomic simulations, and debate policy decisions. If you attend on campus, you'll gain access to Bentley’s state-of-the-art trading room, where you use industry-standard tools such as Bloomberg terminals, FactSet, and financial trading systems. The program emphasizes applied learning, presentation skills, and real data analysis, rather than lecture-based learning alone.
15. Financial Decision Making
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $4,099
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited enrollment
Dates: June 15 – 26 or July 6 - 17
Application Deadline: Priority deadline January 28; rolling admission thereafter
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9–12
Financial Decision Making is a two-week online program designed to help you build a strong foundation in personal finance, economics, and data-driven decision-making. You will examine how everyday financial choices, such as budgeting, saving, borrowing, and investing, connect to broader concepts such as inflation, interest rates, and financial markets. The curriculum is developed by a Wharton professor specializing in capital markets and emphasizes hands-on learning through case studies and analysis of financial datasets. You will learn to use Excel to evaluate trade-offs, assess risk versus return, and make informed investment decisions. The program also addresses ethical considerations in finance and the role of financial systems in broader social and economic outcomes. Upon completion of the course, you'll earn a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion, making this a strong option if you want academic exposure to finance before starting college.
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