If you are a high school student interested in finance, online summer programs can help you build the skills needed to get started in the field in an accessible manner. These programs focus on developing technical abilities like financial modeling, investment analysis, and data interpretation. By working on case studies and using tools like Excel, Python, or R, you’ll gain practical experience with the methods used by finance professionals.
These programs also help you improve problem-solving and communication skills. Through group projects and discussions of real-world financial scenarios, you’ll learn how to present data, analyze market trends, and make informed decisions.
With that, here are 10 online finance summer programs for high school students!
10 Online Finance Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Veritas AI’s Deep Dive: AI+Finance
Cost: $2,490
Application Deadline: The summer early admission application deadline is March 23
Program Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 – 12 who have completed AI Scholars or have a background in coding
Founded by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI is an AI program designed for ambitious high school students like you. Through the AI + Finance Deep Dive, you’ll better understand how AI is transforming the financial field.
You’ll engage in lectures, code walkthroughs, and real-world projects, using AI & ML models to predict future financial patterns, forecast stock prices, and analyze market trends. The program emphasizes hands-on learning and mentorship, giving you the chance to develop your AI-driven financial models and present your findings. Here is the program brochure and the application form.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Cost: $2,990–$8,900 (depending on the kind of program). Need-based financial aid is available for the individual researcher program.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Summer Cohort I priority application deadline is March 9!
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, fall: September – December, winter: December – February, spring: March – June.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler.
The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
3. New York Institute of Finance’s Young Finance Scholar (YFS) Program
Cost: $2,200
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: August 4 – 15
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 – 18.
The Young Finance Scholar (YFS) Program by the New York Institute of Finance (NYIF) is a rigorous program that helps you build advanced financial analysis and research skills. You’ll explore Micro and macroeconomics, company valuation and financial modeling, Wall Street operations and IPO processes, and emerging fields like Sustainable Finance and Fintech.
Through case studies and hands-on projects, you’ll learn how to analyze market trends, assess company performance, and evaluate investment opportunities. The program culminates in a group presentation, where you can demonstrate your expertise and earn an award certification alongside a certificate of completion.
4. Wharton Global Youth Program: Financial Decision Making
Cost: $4,099 + $100 application fee. Need-based financial aid and application fee waivers are available.
Application Deadline: April 2 (Priority deadline) May 1 (Final deadline)
Program Dates: June 16 – 27 (Session 1) and July 7 –18 (Session 2)
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9-12 with demonstrated interest in economics and finance
Wharton’s Global Youth Program offers a two-week deep dive into financial decision-making, designed to help you build practical finance and economic analysis skills. You’ll explore the fundamentals of economics, financial principles, and the global financial landscape through daily live lectures and recitations led by Wharton teaching assistants.
By the end of the program, you’ll have a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion and a strong foundation in finance and economics that can support future academic and professional pursuits.
5. UCLA Introduction to Investments Summer Institute
Cost: $2,170. Financial aid is available for students attending grades 9 – 11 in the state of California.
Application Deadline: June 13
Program Dates: June 23 – July 11
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 12
UCLA Introduction to Investments Summer Institute is a three-week program designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of investments and potential careers in the field. You’ll explore money, banking, and personal investment decisions, diving into topics like financial markets and their functions, stock ownership, bonds and commodities, the Federal Reserve’s role, economic cycles, and historical financial panics. The program also covers valuation methods and quantitative analysis, equipping you with the skills to build a personal financial plan.
6. Columbia Pre-College Introduction to Finance & Investment Management
Cost: $3,850.00 + $50 Activities Fee + $35 Technology Fee
Application Deadline: April 2
Program Dates: July 7 – 18 (Session A), July 21 – August 1 (Session B) and August 11 – 15 (Session C)
Eligibility: Students who will be enrolled in grades 9 – 12 in the fall and students currently enrolled in grade 12
Columbia Pre-College Introduction to Finance & Investment Management offers a foundational understanding of finance and investment strategies for high school students and current seniors. Through this quantitative course, you’ll explore the principles of economics, the structure of financial markets, and investment management techniques.
You’ll also develop and manage your investment portfolios, applying concepts like risk assessment, asset allocation, and market analysis. The program emphasizes analytical and mathematical skills, so comfort with math is essential. Although the course doesn’t offer college credit, you’ll earn a Columbia University Certification of Participation and a detailed evaluation letter.
7. Bentley University Wall Street 101
Cost: $1,490 + $75 application fee. Need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: January – June on a rolling basis
Program Dates: June 9 –13
Eligibility: High school students entering their junior or senior year, who have completed at least two years of college preparatory coursework at the high school level
Bentley University’s Wall Street 101 Program offers multiple finance courses, giving you hands-on experience with industry-standard tools like Bloomberg, FactSet, Morningstar Direct, and CapIQ. You’ll learn to value simulated investments and apply your knowledge through trading simulations, debates, group assignments, and presentations.
The program also features guest lectures from finance professionals, providing real-world insights. You can choose from courses like Macroeconomics and Financial Markets, Fintech Business Startup, and Stock Market and Investment Research.
8. Brown Pre-College Mathematical Modeling of Finance: An Introduction to Quantitative Analysis
Cost: $5,314
Application Deadline: January 15 – May 9
Program Dates: June 23 – July 18
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9 to 12 and who are aged 14 to 18 by June 15.
Brown Pre-College Mathematical Modeling of Finance: An Introduction to Quantitative Analysis is a four-week program focused on applying mathematical concepts to financial analysis. The course is divided into two parts: the first covers financial growth over time, including interest rates, compound interest, present and future value of annuities, and loan calculations.
The second part introduces probability theory in finance, exploring discrete probability models, random variables, probability distributions, and conditional probability. Through this program, you’ll build quantitative analysis skills essential for financial modeling and risk assessment.
9. Georgetown’s Pre-College Becoming an Investor: An Inside Look at Finance
Cost: $1,795
Application Deadline: Varies according to the session. June 1 for programs starting on June 8
Program Dates: June 8 – 15 (1 week), June 8 – 22 (2 weeks), and June 8 – July 6 (4 weeks). More sessions are available.
Eligibility: Students aged 13 years and above
Georgetown’s Pre-College Course on Investing and Finance offers a comprehensive introduction to financial markets and investment strategies. You’ll learn to evaluate company value using valuation models and explore emerging areas in fintech, including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and digital assets.
The course also provides insights into finance careers like investment banking, consulting, monetary policy, financial planning, and accounting. For your capstone project, you’ll develop your investment portfolio with support from a mentor, applying the skills you’ve gained. By the end of the program, you’ll earn a Certificate of Completion from Georgetown University.
10. Stanford Pre-College’s Introduction to Finance and Banking
Cost: $3,080. Need-based financial aid is available
Application Deadline: March 20
Program Dates: June 16 – 27
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 11 at the time of application
Stanford’s Introduction to Finance and Banking Course helps you understand the role of finance and banking in the economy and how individuals, businesses, and governments use financial systems to save, invest, and manage risk. Through assigned readings, class discussions, and team-based activities, you’ll explore core financial concepts like capital markets, risk management, and investment strategies.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, finance, economics, and more, 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: Stanford University
