For high school students interested in finance, getting early exposure to the field can make a meaningful difference in your overall profile and applications to advanced programs (such as an undergraduate degree). Free internships and structured programs offer hands-on experience in areas like investment analysis, financial planning, business operations, and economic research, and are super accessible.
Many top companies, universities, and financial institutions offer free or fully funded finance programs and internships for high school students, with both in-person and virtual formats available. Whether you’re curious about venture capital, accounting, fintech, or public finance, these programs provide a valuable starting point without pushing you to spend thousands of dollars on a program .
We’ve curated a list of 13 free finance programs and internships for high school students.
1. Horizon Academic Research Program – Finance Track
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students, typically in 10th or 11th grade, with a 3.67+ GPA. Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Application Deadline: May 18 (Summer I), June 22 (Summer II)
Program Dates:
- Summer I: Starts June 16
- Summer II: Starts July 14
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as finance, economics, and math. It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research! In the business track, you can explore topics such as behavioral economics and market trends. Once you select a particular subject track and type of research, you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
The program includes a letter of recommendation for every student, plus comprehensive feedback on projects that can assist with future work and college applications. Apply here!
2. Veritas AI’s AI + Finance Deep Dive
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have prior Python experience.
Application Deadline: April 27
Program Dates: The Summer Programs begin June 2.
Run by Harvard graduates, Veritas AI is a program designed to teach ambitious high school students about artificial intelligence. Through the AI + Finance program, students gain a deeper understanding of AI applications in the financial field. They get a chance to engage in lectures, code walkthroughs, and real-world projects using AI & ML models to predict future financial patterns using past data, forecasting stock prices, and more.
The program emphasizes collaboration and hands-on learning, providing students with guidance from experienced mentors. Students will complete the course with an AI project that reflects their skills and interests. Here is the application form.
3. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Internship placements at local nonprofits across the U.S. + Washington, DC summit
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors and seniors; must be in good academic standing, eligible to work in the U.S., and reside in a participating location
Application Deadline: January 15
Program Dates: June – August (8 weeks, including July 21–26 DC Summit)
Stipend: Paid
In this eight-week summer program, you’ll work 35 hours a week at a local nonprofit, where you’ll contribute to real-world community projects and observe how funding decisions and operational budgets are managed. The program is structured to help you build both financial literacy and leadership skills in a service-oriented environment.
You’ll attend the Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC, where you’ll collaborate with peers from around the country on civic engagement and economic policy discussions. Throughout the internship, you’ll develop skills in communication, project planning, and basic budgeting, which are useful in both nonprofit and business contexts. The experience offers a lens into how financial decision-making supports long-term community development. It’s particularly suited for students interested in economics, public service, and social impact finance.
4. Chicago Summer Business Institute
Location: Chicago, IL
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors residing in Chicago with a minimum 3.0 GPA and household income below $80,000/year
Application Deadline: March 31
Program Dates: June – August (6 weeks)
Stipend: Paid
This six-week paid internship program places you with financial firms, city departments, or corporate sponsors in downtown Chicago. You’ll be introduced to real-world business functions such as accounting, finance operations, client reporting, and administrative tasks using tools like Excel. Weekly professional development workshops cover skills like resume building, public speaking, and workplace communication.
In past cohorts, interns worked on journal entries, budget tracking, and event planning for city offices and finance firms. The program’s structure is designed to help you better understand what a career in finance or business might look like. It’s especially beneficial if you’re interested in exploring economic mobility, corporate operations, or public finance within a professional setting.
5. Fidelity High School Internships
Location: Boston, MA
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: Not specified (check Fidelity’s careers page for updates)
Program Dates: July – August (5 weeks)
Stipend: Paid
Over five weeks, this internship places you in teams at Fidelity Investments where you’ll be exposed to the fundamentals of finance through project-based learning. You’ll explore topics like asset allocation, investment research, and risk modeling while working alongside finance professionals. Interns take part in real-time problem solving, financial data interpretation, and collaborative planning tasks.
The experience is designed to strengthen your ability to analyze financial scenarios and present insights clearly, both independently and in team settings. Communication and time management are also emphasized as core workplace skills. This program is especially relevant if you’re considering roles in asset management or finance consulting.
6. Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) internship
Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, MA
Eligibility: Boston Public School students who have completed their sophomore year; must meet income eligibility requirements
Application Deadline: Not publicly listed (students typically apply through the Boston Private Industry Council)
Program Dates: July – August (exact dates vary; extended year-round option available)
Stipend: Paid
TIP is a paid internship hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston in partnership with the Boston Private Industry Council, targeting income-eligible high school students in the city. During the summer, you’ll work in departments like finance, community development, or human resources, gaining exposure to how a central bank operates. You’ll also participate in structured workshops that build technical and interpersonal skills, like financial management, communication, and conflict resolution.
If selected for the extended program, you can continue interning year-round through your junior year to your first postsecondary year. The emphasis is on providing a supportive first-job experience that encourages long-term economic stability. The program combines real work experience with career coaching and is especially useful if you’re curious about finance, policy, or public service.
7. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: CLA office locations across the U.S.
Eligibility: High school students ages 16–18; must be authorized to work in the U.S. and have reliable transportation
Application Deadline: Typically April
Program Dates: June 17 – July 19
Stipend: Paid
This four-week paid internship gives you hands-on exposure to accounting and professional services through shadowing, interactive case studies, and team-based client projects. You’ll work onsite Monday through Thursday, observing how professionals manage financial reporting, advise clients, and contribute to strategic planning across industries.
The program includes a structured curriculum that focuses on business communication, analytical thinking, and career readiness. Interns are given laptops for the duration of the program and are expected to participate fully in all sessions. You’ll also collaborate in groups to present findings and gain insights into firm culture and community impact work. It’s a useful experience if you’re exploring careers in public accounting, consulting, or business services.
8. 1435 Capital Management LLC—Venture Analyst Internship
Location: Hybrid (Remote + in-person visits to Princeton, NJ)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (must be U.S.-based, age 16+, and authorized to work in the U.S.)
Application Deadline: Rolling; closes the first week of April
Program Dates: June – August (10 weeks)
Stipend: Paid
This 10-week hybrid internship places you at a venture capital firm focused on growth-stage startups and secondaries, where you’ll take on real tasks like conducting market research, analyzing startup viability, and helping source deals. You’ll work closely with the investment team to study competitive landscapes, evaluate financial projections, and prepare reports on potential investments. Analysts are also expected to join meetings with entrepreneurs, assist in due diligence processes, and contribute to startup evaluations.
The program is highly selective, typically accepting just a few high school interns per year. It also offers an opportunity to continue working with 1435 Capital through the Homeroom Fund — a student-led venture fund — after the summer ends. If you’re interested in early-stage investing or startup ecosystems, this experience builds technical, research, and strategic thinking skills from the ground up.
9. NAIOP-Drexel Summer Real Estate Program
Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA (residential program)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are first-generation, low-income, and/or have demonstrated interest in commercial real estate
Application Deadline: March 21 (priority); rolling afterward based on availability
Program Dates: July 13 – July 22
Cost: Free (full scholarships provided to all accepted students)
This 10-day residential program introduces you to key sectors within commercial real estate, including development, construction, brokerage, architecture, and finance. You’ll work through a real estate case study while attending workshops led by Drexel faculty and professionals from firms like FMC and Comcast.
Site visits to high-profile buildings give you insight into how urban real estate projects are financed, constructed, and managed. You’ll also engage in college readiness sessions and team-building activities with peers interested in similar career paths. The program is designed to build foundational knowledge in real estate while expanding access for students from underrepresented backgrounds. It’s a solid fit if you’re curious about the built environment and how large-scale developments come together.
10. Morgan Stanley Finance Academy
Location: Virtual (with potential in-person capstone events at NYC headquarters)
Eligibility: High school seniors from underrepresented communities in the U.S.
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025–2026 cohort (interest form available)
Program Dates: 5 months, typically beginning in summer and continuing into the academic year
Cost: Free
This five-month virtual program introduces high school seniors to the finance industry through interactive sessions led by Morgan Stanley professionals across investment banking, equities, capital markets, and research. You’ll gain foundational knowledge in areas like private equity, IPOs, and sustainability-linked finance while also building practical skills in networking and financial literacy.
A core feature is the capstone competition, where you’ll work in teams to solve a real transaction case study — previous winners earned a trip to Morgan Stanley’s NYC office. The program is designed to support students who may not have prior access to finance networks or mentorship. Participants also receive ongoing guidance and career preparation support from Morgan Stanley employees throughout the program. It’s geared toward students interested in exploring finance as a potential college and career path.
11. McCombs School of Business Summer Programs
Location: University of Texas at Austin (residential)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; only Texas juniors are eligible for Subiendo
Application Deadline:
- MFEA & DYNAMC: March 1
- Subiendo: January 31
Program Dates:
- McCombs Future Executive Academy (MFEA): June 1 – June 6
- Subiendo: The Academy for Rising Leaders: June 8 – June 12
- Discover Yourself in Accounting Majors and Careers (DYNAMC): June 22 – June 27
Cost: Free (includes housing, meals, and instruction)
These free, six-day residential programs offer high school students the opportunity to explore business pathways through hands-on workshops, faculty-led sessions, and case competitions. MFEA focuses on broad exposure to business fields, Subiendo centers leadership development with a policy-based lens, and DYNAMC introduces accounting careers in collaboration with Ernst & Young.
You’ll stay on campus, network with business professionals, and learn from current UT Austin students. Each program culminates in a team project or competition that applies what you’ve learned in real time. These programs are especially suited for students interested in leadership, finance, entrepreneurship, or accounting, particularly those who are first-generation or have overcome barriers to higher education.
12. Honkamp High School Accounting Program
Location: In-person at Honkamp offices in Davenport and Dubuque, IA
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Application Deadline: June 21
Program Dates:
- Davenport: Thursdays – July 11, 18, 25, and August 1
- Dubuque: Wednesdays – July 17, 24, 31, and August 7
Cost: Free
This program is a short-format, in-person series that introduces high school students to accounting through interactive sessions led by professionals at Honkamp. You’ll explore core areas of the field, including auditing, tax services, and consulting, with a focus on how accountants support clients across sectors like healthcare, real estate, and manufacturing.
Each session highlights real workflows and the technologies used in modern accounting firms. The structure is designed to help you ask career-specific questions, build industry awareness, and understand what skills are required to enter the field. It’s especially relevant if you’re considering accounting as a college major and want exposure before applying.
13. U.S. Treasury Headquarters Student Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens enrolled in high school, undergraduate, or graduate programs at accredited institutions
Application Deadlines:
- Spring Internship (Jan–May): Apply in October
- Summer Internship (May–Aug): Apply in December
- Fall Internship (Sep–Dec): Apply in June
Program Dates: Varies by term (Spring, Summer, Fall)
Cost: Free
This internship places high school students in various offices within the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where you’ll support policy research, data analysis, brief writing, and administrative work across sectors like domestic finance, economic policy, and public affairs. You may also attend Congressional hearings and interagency meetings, providing exposure to real-time federal decision-making processes.
Interns are matched to offices based on interest and departmental needs, offering flexibility in focus areas from tax policy to counter-terrorism finance. The experience emphasizes analytical thinking, written communication, and navigating government systems. It’s particularly useful if you’re interested in economics, public service, or policy work and want to gain early exposure to federal careers.
Image source – Chicago Business Institute
