Are you interested in business but not sure where to start? Free business programs for high school students can help you explore the field, gain practical skills, and boost your college applications. You’ll explore key business areas, including leadership and finance, while receiving guidance from professionals in the industry.
You’ll get to work on real projects, learn about different areas of business, and build connections with mentors and peers. These programs will give you the skills and knowledge to stand out in college admissions and prepare for future career opportunities. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
Here are 12 free business programs for high school students to help you get started.
Disclaimer: While some programs in this blog are free, others offer full financial aid to ensure accessibility for all students.
1. Horizon’s Academic Research Program (HARP) – Organizational Behavior Track
Cost: 100% financial aid available.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.67 or higher, primarily 10th/11th graders
Subject Areas: Business Research, Financial Modeling, Entrepreneurship
Horizon’s Academic Research Program (HARP) offers high school students an opportunity to engage in trimester-long research in various fields, including business research, financial modeling, and entrepreneurship. This program offers a combination of quantitative and qualitative research options, allowing you to choose the best approach for exploring the business world.
After selecting a subject track and research type, you’ll be matched with a professor or Ph.D. scholar from a top university who will guide you through your research journey. You’ll work to produce a 20-page, university-level research paper, which you can submit to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. Focused on business and entrepreneurship, this program provides mentorship from accomplished scholars. Along with hands-on research experience, you’ll receive a letter of recommendation and valuable feedback, which can enhance your college applications and academic prospects.
2. Summer Venture in Business
Cost: Free
Location: University of Kansas, Kansas
Program Dates: First session: June 16 – 20 and Second session: July 13 –18
Application Deadline: April 28
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grade underrepresented students and/or potential first-generation college students. Students from the state of Kansas and the Greater Kansas City area will be given preference.
Subject Areas: Business Fundamentals, College Preparation, Career Readiness, Leadership, Networking
The Summer Venture in Business is a week-long pre-college program at the University of Kansas (KU) School of Business, designed for high school students. This program helps you explore college life, both academically and socially, while diving into key business concepts. You’ll develop skills to succeed in higher education and future careers, with a curriculum focused on business fundamentals, leadership, and college application guidance. Scholarship covers housing, meals, and materials for all participants.
3. Young Founders Lab
Cost: 100% financial aid available
Location: Online, featuring live workshops.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadlines: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Subject Areas: Business Fundamentals, Business Ideation, Marketing, Finance, Product Development, Entrepreneurial Strategy
The Young Founders Lab is a comprehensive startup bootcamp designed by Harvard entrepreneurs to provide high school students with a real-world, hands-on entrepreneurial experience. In this 4-week virtual program, you’ll work on developing a revenue-generating startup that addresses a real-world issue, guided by seasoned professionals and successful entrepreneurs from companies like Google, Microsoft, and X.
This program covers key areas of business, including business fundamentals, business ideation, marketing, finance, product development, and entrepreneurial strategy. You’ll engage in live, interactive workshops, skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more, all while learning how to build and launch a business from scratch.
4. Harvard Student Agencies Business Academy
Cost: $1,450. Need-based financial aid available
Location: Harvard University Campus
Program Dates: Five-day sessions between June and August
Application Deadlines: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to 9th-12th grade high school students (must be 14+ at the time of the program)
Subject Areas: Entrepreneurship, Business Management, Financial Literacy, Startup Ecosystem, Corporate Strategy
At the Harvard Student Agencies Business Academy, high school students can explore two areas of business through focused academies: Business Entrepreneurship and Business Management & Strategy.
In the Business Entrepreneurship Academy, you’ll learn how to launch and manage a startup. The program covers financial literacy, market research, business planning, and skills like SWOT analysis and pitching. It ends with a startup pitch to a panel for feedback, helping you refine your idea and build entrepreneurial skills.
The Business Management & Strategy Academy lets you tackle real-world corporate challenges as a consultant. You’ll work on projects like boosting profits, expanding markets, and launching products while learning business analysis, pricing, and mergers. The program builds skills in strategy, leadership, and financial management.
5. The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy
Cost: $5,000 + $50 application fee. Full and partial need-based scholarships are available
Location: UMich Ann Arbor campus
Program Dates: June 13 – June 27
Application Deadlines: January 21
Eligibility: Open to current rising high school seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Subject Areas: Business Fundamentals, Leadership, Problem Solving, Team Building, Business Strategy
The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy is a two-week residential program designed for rising high school seniors interested in exploring business concepts and experiencing college life at the Michigan Ross School of Business. This program gives you an inside look at business operations and how leaders solve real-world challenges.
You will engage in college-level coursework through classes, workshops, and case studies, covering essential business concepts like strategy, leadership, and operations. You’ll go beyond the classroom with company visits to learn from industry professionals and weekend activities that build teamwork and leadership skills.
6. Babson Summer Study for High School Students
Cost: $6,295 + non-refundable $95 application fee. Need-based full and partial scholarships available.
Location: Online
Program Dates: July 10–30
Application Deadlines: March
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Subject Areas: Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, United Nations Global Goals, Business Fundamentals
The Babson Summer Study for High School Students program offers a three-week online experience for high school students eager to dive into the world of entrepreneurship. Designed for rising juniors and seniors, this program focuses on developing an entrepreneurial mindset and equips students with problem-solving skills to address real-world challenges. You will engage in a comprehensive curriculum that includes lectures, individual assignments, and team projects. The program features the Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience course, offering four college credits. Held entirely online, this program offers flexibility for students to participate from anywhere while still receiving a rigorous, engaging learning experience.
7. KeyBank Business Leadership Program
Cost: Free
Location: Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado
Program Dates: June 23–29
Application Deadline: Applications open in December and close in April
Eligibility: Current high school juniors entering their senior year. Priority given to Colorado residents and students enrolled in a Colorado high school.
Subject Areas: Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, Business Fundamentals
The KeyBank Business Leadership Program is a fully-funded, week-long program at the University of Colorado Boulder designed for high school students who identify as underrepresented, diverse, students of color, and/or first-generation. This immersive program focuses on broadening perspectives on business and diversity through a hands-on case study approach.
Throughout the program, you will compete in a case challenge aimed at solving real-world business problems.You will work in teams to design and implement a marketing campaign for the program’s corporate partners. The team with the best solution will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship to the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business.
8. Business is Global: Summer Language Program
Cost: $1,900 (Full need-based scholarships available)
Location: Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, Indiana
Program Dates: June 23 – July 6
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Subject Areas: Business Practices, Language, Global Culture, Communication, International Business
The Business is Global: Summer Language Program is a two-week immersive experience for high school students interested in exploring the intersection of business, language, and culture. Hosted by the Indiana University Center for International Business Education and Research, this program aims to show students firsthand how interconnected business is across the world. Throughout the program, you will engage in sessions that blend language learning with fundamental business principles, focusing on business practices in the United States and the featured foreign regions. You’ll explore business terminology, analyze how global events influence international markets, and learn how cultural differences shape business practices worldwide.
The program structure includes morning sessions dedicated to both language and business content, while afternoons feature hands-on activities focused on regional cultures, political landscapes, and business environments.
9. Caminos al Futuro
Cost: Fully Funded
Location: George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
Program Dates: July
Application Deadline: Applications open in December
Eligibility: Rising seniors at U.S. high schools with high academic achievement and a demonstrated commitment to leadership in service of the Latino/Hispanic community
Subject Areas: Social Transformation, Economic & Political Issues, Latino/Hispanic Leadership, Policy, College Readiness
Caminos al Futuro is a fully funded, pre-college residential summer program organized by George Washington University’s Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute. This three-week program is for rising high school seniors excelling academically and committed to leadership in the Latino/Hispanic community. You’ll live on the GW campus, explore issues shaping the Hispanic/Latino community, and gain insight into policymaking through visits to Congress, government agencies, and nonprofits. The program features university-style lectures, writing labs, and community action projects to build leadership skills. College admissions workshops are also included to help with your application process.
10. Accelerated Business Program
Cost: $195 (In-person) limited number of need-based financial scholarships are available upon acceptance. $25 (Virtual)
Location: University of Georgia’s Athens Campus (In-person) and Virtual
Program Dates: June 9-12 (In-person) and July 11-12 (Virtual)
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in high school
Application Deadline: March 24 (In-person) and April 26 (Virtual)
Subject Areas: Business Fundamentals, Career Paths in High-Demand Fields, Corporate Exposure
The Accelerated Business Program is a selective opportunity for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in exploring business careers, particularly in high-demand sectors. On the UGA Athens campus, you’ll get a comprehensive overview of business while interacting with executives from companies like Travelers, Chick-fil-A, and PwC. The program includes staying in UGA residence halls, dining in award-winning facilities, and attending lectures from UGA professors. Social events, like a night tour of Athens and a pool party, will also help you connect with peers from across Georgia and beyond.
For those opting for the online version, the program offers a condensed format with dynamic speakers from leading companies like PwC and Charles Aris. You’ll also earn a Certificate of Completion from the Terry College of Business and gain insights into college life.
11. Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP)
Cost: Free (Room and board covered) | Limited travel aid available
Location: Harvard Business School (HBS) Campus
Program Dates: Sunday, June 9 – Wednesday, June 12
Application Deadline: April 9
Eligibility: College sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Subject Areas: Leadership in Business, MBA Education, Community Impact, Business Opportunities
The Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP) is an exclusive, four-day residential experience designed for high-potential college sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in leadership and pursuing an MBA. Throughout the program, you’ll participate in leadership training, workshops, and gain insight into how an MBA education can open doors to new opportunities. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership experience, and demonstrated impact in your school or community. Leadership examples include roles in student government, team captains, community service, or spearheading initiatives.
You’ll experience life as an MBA student at Harvard Business School. HBS covers all program costs, including room and board. You’ll be responsible for your own transportation, with limited financial aid for travel expenses.
12. Women’s Leadership Institute
Cost: Free
Location: Indiana University, Kelley School of Business
Program Dates: Varies (with the bulk of dates occurring in the summer)
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: All female high school student with minimum GPA of a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
Subject Areas: Leadership Development, Business Strategy, Communication Skills, Women in Business
The Women’s Leadership Institute is a tuition-free, single-day program designed for academically talented high school students, hosted by Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. This program helps you build leadership and communication skills while addressing real-world business challenges. You’ll participate in workshops, business projects, and connect with other young women pursuing business careers.
It also provides networking opportunities and supports your personal growth. Available year-round, with most sessions in the summer, this program is a great chance for you to enhance your leadership skills and connect with peers in business.
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