If you’re in high school and thinking about a future in math or finance, learning about actuarial science early can help you figure out if it’s the right path for you. Actuarial work is about using math, statistics, and business knowledge to measure risk and help companies make decisions. It’s a field that connects to many areas like insurance, investment, government, and even healthcare.
Summer programs in actuarial science give you the chance to build specific skills like probability, data modeling, and financial math. You might work on projects that use real data, learn how to prepare for actuarial exams, or get introduced to the tools actuaries use every day. If you’re considering a career in data science, finance, economics, or applied math, these programs can give you early exposure to how those areas connect.
To help you get started, here are 13 actuarial summer programs for high school students! You can check out our blog on free summer programs for high school students.
13 Actuarial Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; Full financial aid is available.
Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, led by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. If you’re new to AI, machine learning, or data science, the AI Scholars program provides a 10-session introduction to the basics and includes opportunities to work on practical projects.
For students with more experience, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase allows you to work individually with mentors from top universities on a unique project. This program also provides support from an in-house publication team to help you publish your work in high school research journals. Examples of previous projects are available here for review.
3. Morgan State University Summer Academy of Actuarial and Mathematical Sciences (SAAMS) Program
Location: Virtual + final week at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD
Cost: None
Application Deadline: April 30
Program Dates: June 30 — July 25
Eligibility: Be a rising 11th or 12th grader, or a graduating senior entering Morgan State University, with an interest in studying Mathematics, Actuarial Science, or Computer Science — ideally at Morgan.
The Summer Academy of Actuarial and Mathematical Sciences (SAAMS) at Morgan State University is a fully funded, selective program for high school students interested in actuarial science, mathematics, or computer science. You’ll attend daily virtual classes, work on problem sets, and take part in group projects led by Morgan State University faculty. The final week is in-person, with free housing and meals on campus. The program also includes field trips to companies and workshops on careers and communication. You’ll get a stipend, and admission is based on a competitive application and interview.
4. AS 1501: Actuarial Probability — Temple Summer Academy
Location: Temple University, Main Campus, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Starts at $3,200, with an additional $325 for this four-credit course (total $3,525); cost includes tuition, workshops, mentorship, and activities
Application Deadline: Early deadline February 15; final deadline March 15
Program Dates: July 8 – August 2 (tentative, based on previous year dates)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors who have taken or are taking AP Calculus
AS 1501 is a four-credit summer course for high school juniors and seniors interested in math, statistics, and risk analysis. You’ll cover topics like probability laws, combinatorics, conditional probability, Bayes’ Theorem, random variables, and probability distributions, with examples drawn from insurance and real-world risk. The course runs in person at Temple University’s main campus. You’ll take part in college classes, summer activities, non-credit workshops, and get support from student mentors.
5. Lebanon Valley College Actuarial Science Camp
Location: Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA
Cost: $950
Application Deadline: Until all spaces are filled.
Program Dates: June 22–27 | July 6–11
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
The Actuarial Science Summer Camp at LVC offers a focused, week-long experience to explore the field. During the camp, you’ll have the chance to engage with practicing actuaries and get hands-on exposure to industry-relevant software and topics. The program is designed to give you a clear understanding of what a career in actuarial science involves, helping you make an informed decision about pursuing it further. The camp has been running for over 30 years as part of a program with a long history in actuarial education.
6. Illinois State University’s Redbird Risk Management Challenge
Location: Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Cost: No cost
Application Deadline: May 31
Program Dates: July 13–18
Eligibility: Must be entering your senior year of high school, plan to attend college after graduation, and have at least a 3.2 GPA; ACT scores and letters of recommendation are optional but considered.
Illinois State University’s weeklong Risk Management Challenge puts you in the role of a senior risk manager. In teams, you’ll work through a simulation where a company faces sudden financial risks and losses. Your job is to develop strategies that keep the business running and avoid bankruptcy. You’ll stay on campus, live in dorms, and take part in evening activities like bowling and mini-golf that are also tied to the simulation. The program builds practical skills in risk assessment, problem-solving, and teamwork, key parts of actuarial science.
7. Howard University Summer Enrichment Program – Actuarial Science
Location: Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Cost: None
Application Deadline: April 1
Program Dates: July 13–18
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors
This is a free, in-person program where you choose the actuarial science track and learn from university faculty and professionals. You attend classroom sessions, group projects, and site visits focused on how actuaries use data to measure risk and guide business decisions. You work on math skills, learn to use spreadsheets and modeling tools, and practice clear communication of data.
8. University of Nebraska – Discover Actuarial Science
Location: University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Not specified
Program Dates: June 9–11
Eligibility: Must complete your sophomore or junior year by spring, have finished Algebra II or provide a teacher recommendation, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
The Discover Actuarial Science program is a free opportunity for high school sophomores and juniors who enjoy math and problem-solving. You’ll meet professionals in the actuarial field, tour their workplaces, and connect with peers who share your interests. You’ll also solve a business problem and conclude with a reception alongside your parents or guardians hosted by the Nebraska Actuaries Club. The program also includes a campus residency experience where you learn about preparing for college, financing your education, and accessing support resources.
9. Connecticut IFS Actuarial Bootcamp
Location: Nassau, 1 American Row, Hartford, CT
Cost: $250
Application Deadline: Not specified. More information here.
Program Dates: July 21 — 25
Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who will be a high school senior in the fall, a graduating senior by June, or a current college freshman, and must be currently taking or have completed Honors Calculus, Calculus AB, or Calculus BC.
The Actuarial Boot Camp is a one-week summer program for high school seniors and college freshmen interested in the actuarial field. You learn how actuaries work in insurance, finance, government, and consulting through sessions on writing, negotiation, ethics, and problem-solving. Actuaries from companies like The Hartford, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare explain different career paths. You also get help with internship planning and start preparing for the first actuarial exam in probability using approved tools and study materials.
10. University of Wisconsin-Madison – Actuarial Science: Financial Math and Probability on edX
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free without certification
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Program Dates: Self-paced courses
Eligibility: Open to all
The University of Wisconsin–Madison online certificate in actuarial science introduces core topics tested on the Society of Actuaries’ Exam P and Exam FM. The program includes four courses, two in financial mathematics and two in probability. You study how to model cash flows from loans, bonds, and annuities, and how to evaluate risk using random variables.
You also learn how probability distributions and statistical methods apply to actuarial problems. Completing the certificate gives you the academic background to sit for both exams, though you may need additional practice to be fully prepared. As a high school student, you may need extra self-study to keep up, but the program is a solid early step if you are committed to the actuarial path.
11. Bryant University Pre‑College Actuarial Science & Statistics Summer Program
Location: Bryant University, Smithfield, RI
Cost: $600
Application Deadline: July 1
Program Dates: August 11–15
Eligibility: High school students
Bryant University Pre-College Actuarial Science and Statistics Summer Program is a weeklong residential program for high school students interested in actuarial science. You study statistics, data analysis, and risk assessment through coursework taught by university faculty. You explore how actuaries use quantitative methods to solve real-world problems and learn how these tools apply to current social issues. The program gives you an early foundation in skills like probability, modeling, and interpreting data. You also stay on campus and receive a certificate of completion at the end.
12. Columbia University – Financial Engineering and Risk Management Specialization on Coursera
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free without certification
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Program Dates: Self-paced courses
Eligibility: Open to all
Columbia University’s Financial Engineering Specialization is a five-course online program focused on core topics in quantitative finance, including derivative pricing, portfolio optimization, and asset allocation. It focuses on financial mathematics and risk modeling, which are a part of actuarial work. You work on projects involving option valuation and portfolio construction using data. To follow the material, you need a solid understanding of calculus, probability, and basic programming.
13. IABA Actuarial Boot Camp
Location: Washington, DC
Cost: Not publicly listed; IABA Boot Camp programs often include registration as part of the IABA Annual Meeting, which sometimes covers accommodation and meals for selected students.
Application Deadline: Not specified
Program Dates: July 28 — August 3
Eligibility: Ideal for students and recent graduates pursuing actuarial internships or entry-level positions; program prioritizes those from underrepresented backgrounds in the actuarial field
The IABA Actuarial Boot Camp is a hands-on program for students planning to enter the actuarial field. You’ll take part in sessions led by professionals that cover exam pathways, technical skills, resume writing, interview preparation, and career options in actuarial science. The boot camp also includes networking opportunities with experienced actuaries and peer participants, helping you build connections and understand how to approach internships or entry-level positions.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Columbia University