If you’re interested in finance but aren’t ready to commit to a long-term program, an online finance camp can be a good place to start. These short-term experiences give you the chance to explore areas such as investing, financial markets, business, and personal finance through live sessions, simulations, discussions, and activities. Depending on the camp, you might build an investment portfolio, analyze companies, follow market trends, or learn how financial decisions are made by individuals and businesses. Because they typically run for a few days or weeks, finance camps can help you get a feel for the subject before deciding whether you want to pursue it further. If you decide you want something longer or more structured afterward, you can also check out our guides to summer finance programs and finance summer internships for high school students.
What do online finance camps for high school students include?
Online finance camps typically introduce you to the concepts, tools, and analytical methods used in investing, business, and financial decision-making. Depending on the camp, you may learn how to read financial statements, evaluate companies, analyze market trends, and understand how investors assess risk and return. Some camps cover topics like stocks, bonds, portfolio diversification, corporate finance, and entrepreneurship, while others focus on personal finance, financial literacy, or investing strategies. Some camps incorporate case studies, group projects, or presentations that require you to evaluate financial information and communicate your conclusions. If you want to explore options at no cost, our list of free and online finance summer programs covers several no-fee alternatives.
Below, we’ve highlighted 15 online finance camps for high school students that offer different ways to explore the field.
Key Takeaways
- Online finance camps for high school students range from free options like Rapunzl, The Bridge, and NextGen Investing Camp to premium programs like Wharton Global Youth, which run several thousand dollars
- Most camps fall into one of two categories: investing and markets-focused camps that teach stock analysis and portfolio construction, or personal finance camps that cover budgeting, credit, and everyday financial decisions
- Several camps, including Wharton’s Essentials of Finance and PFPA’s Professional Financial Summer Camp, culminate in a team project or capstone where you apply what you’ve learned to a real company or financial scenario
- Camp length and intensity vary widely, from single-day simulations like NextGen Investing Camp to multi-week programs like Futurowise’s four-week Foundations of Finance and Investing
- If a short camp confirms your interest in finance and you want to go deeper with mentored, independent research, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs is worth exploring as your next step
15 Online Finance Camps for High School Students
1. Wharton Global Youth – Essentials of Finance
Location: The Wharton School, Philadelphia, USA
Cost/Stipend: $8,299; limited scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Multiple sessions: June 7 – 19, June 21 – July 3, July 12 – July 25, July 26 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 18
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9-11 with a minimum 3.3 unweighted GPA, or equivalent
The Wharton Global Youth Essentials of Finance program is a two-week finance camp for high school students interested in investing, corporate finance, and financial decision-making. During the program, you explore topics such as the time value of money, discounted cash flow, risk and return, equities, corporate accounting, and valuation models. The lessons combine lectures, interactive exercises, case studies, and group activities that introduce both personal and corporate finance concepts. You’ll also analyze financial statements and learn how investors evaluate companies using common finance tools and frameworks. A key component of the camp is a team project in which you will assess a publicly traded company and present an investment recommendation based on your analysis.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid available.
Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th- or 11th-graders! A few tracks require prerequisites; see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in subjects 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 you can use to improve future projects. Apply here!
3. Stevens Institute of Technology – Finance & Investing Virtual Bootcamp
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost: $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: August 3- 7
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-11 (rising sophomores, juniors and seniors entering the fall academic year)
The Finance and Investing: 1-Week Intensive Virtual Bootcamp is an online finance camp offered by the Stevens School of Business for high school students interested in investing and portfolio management. Designed to simulate the experience of a professional portfolio manager, the camp introduces you to topics such as equity analysis, risk assessment, and portfolio diversification. During the week, you will work with the S&P Capital IQ academic platform to gather financial data, evaluate company performance, and build simulated investment portfolios. The program also includes live lectures, practical exercises, and small-group breakout sessions led by teaching assistants. You can work toward industry-recognized S&P certifications, including Capital IQ Pro 101, Pro 201, Banking 101, and Ratings Direct 101.
4. Young Finance Scholar Program (NYIF)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost of $950
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Self-paced; around 50 hours
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school and middle school students ages 13-17
The Young Finance Scholar Program is an online finance camp for students ages 13–17 offered by the New York Institute of Finance. Over the course of the program, you’ll explore a range of topics that shape financial markets and business decision-making, including investing, entrepreneurship, financial statements, IPOs, and mergers and acquisitions. Discussions and case studies are used to connect these concepts to current events and real-world business situations. One of the program’s main components is a fund management project in which students work together to evaluate opportunities and develop investment ideas. You’ll also examine emerging areas of the field, including fintech and sustainable finance.
5. Teach Me Wall Street – Wall Street 101 Boot Camp
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost of $497
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 1 – 5, June 15 – 19, July 6 – 10, July 20 – 24, Aug 3 – 7
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12
The Wall Street 101 Summer Camp is a one-week online finance camp that introduces high school students to investing, financial markets, and careers in finance. Through live virtual sessions, you’ll learn how stocks are traded, how companies raise capital, and how investors evaluate opportunities in the market. The curriculum covers topics such as portfolio management, stock analysis, financial statements, and risk assessment while using real-world examples to illustrate key concepts. Throughout the week, you’ll participate in interactive activities and discussions designed to help you apply what you learn to current market situations. The camp also provides insight into different career paths within the finance industry and the skills commonly used by professionals in the field.
6. Teach Me Wall Street – Trading & Investing Boot Camp
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost of $997
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Open June through August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12
Investing 101 for High School Students is a virtual finance camp that introduces students to the fundamentals of investing and financial markets. The curriculum focuses on how different investment vehicles work, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Throughout the camp, you’ll examine concepts such as risk and return, diversification, asset allocation, and long-term investing strategies. The sessions also explore how investors research companies, interpret financial information, and make investment decisions. Real-world market examples are incorporated to help illustrate key concepts and connect lessons to current economic events.
7. Rapunzl Financial Literacy Summer Camp
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 3 cohorts of 30 – 35 students each
Dates: June 6 – 19, June 22 – July 3, June 7 – July 17
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Rapunzl’s Financial Literacy Summer Camp is a two-week program that introduces high school students to investing, personal finance, and financial services careers through a mix of instructor-led lessons and industry-focused sessions. Each day focuses on a different topic, covering budgeting, saving, credit, insurance, retirement planning, diversification, and stock market investing. As the camp progresses, you will explore concepts such as company valuation, ETFs, mutual funds, ESG investing, and long-term investment strategies. The students also use Rapunzl’s investing platform to track the stock market and build experience with simulated investing activities. In addition to finance lessons, the program includes sessions with entrepreneurs and finance professionals who discuss career pathways within the industry. The final portion of the camp focuses on financial services careers, resume preparation, and finance interview fundamentals.
8. Thrive Virtual Academy Financial Literacy Summer Camp
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Fee of $197
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 23 – July 18
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 7 – 12
The Thrive Virtual Academy Financial Literacy Summer Camp is a two-week online camp that introduces middle and high school students to key concepts in personal finance. The curriculum covers topics such as budgeting, banking, credit, taxes, investing, and financial planning through a series of live virtual sessions. You will examine how financial tools and systems influence everyday decisions, from managing expenses to building savings. Activities and discussions help participants apply concepts to real-world financial situations and scenarios.
9. The Bridge – Essentials of Finance
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Session 1: June 9 – June 14, Session 2: August 4 – August 9
Application Deadline: June 26
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 8 – 11
The Bridge’s Essentials of Finance is a free, one-week virtual camp for students that examines how individuals, investors, and companies make financial decisions. The curriculum covers subjects such as accounting, personal finance, equities, valuation, risk and return, and the time value of money, providing students with a foundation in both investing and corporate finance. Classes are held live and include discussions, activities, and collaborative exercises that encourage students to engage with finance concepts from multiple perspectives. A significant portion of the camp is dedicated to a team-based capstone project in which participants apply the frameworks and tools introduced during the week to analyze a finance-related problem or case study. Students also have access to office hours for additional discussion and support outside scheduled sessions.
10. Wall Street Bound – Wall Street 101
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Weekly from March 1 – May 3
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Wall Street Bound’s Wall Street 101 is a finance-focused training program that introduces students to the foundations of financial markets, investing, and careers in the finance industry. You’ll examine topics like financial literacy, equity and debt markets, company valuation, financial statements, and market analysis. The experience also explores how economic and business developments influence investment decisions and market performance. Mentorship and career-focused learning are integrated into the program, giving participants opportunities to learn about different roles within the financial services sector. A capstone project allows students to apply concepts from the program to a practical finance-related challenge. In addition to technical finance topics, the program emphasizes professional development and industry awareness.
11. PFPA Professional Financial Summer Camp
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Fee $799
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 1 – 16
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school and college students
The PFPA Financial Summer Camp is a seven-day finance camp that combines five days of financial training with a two-day investment trading course for high school and college students. The experience examines multiple areas of the financial industry, including commercial banking, investment banking, asset management, risk management, financial technology, and venture capital. Throughout the camp, you’ll work through case studies, simulations, and practical exercises that introduce concepts such as portfolio diversification, option pricing, financial modelling, and market analysis. The sessions also explore emerging topics such as blockchain, cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence in finance, and machine learning applications in banking. Industry professionals lead the instruction, providing insight into how financial institutions operate and how financial decisions are made across different sectors. The final trading component focuses on investment strategy, chart analysis, portfolio construction, and risk management using real-world market examples.
12. Banzai Financial Literacy Summer Camp
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on specific camp
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Flexible
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Banzai’s Finance Summer Camp is an interactive online simulation that introduces students to personal finance through a virtual summer camp setting. As you move through the experience, you’ll earn money through camp jobs, decide how to spend and save your earnings, and manage unexpected expenses that affect your budget. The simulation incorporates topics such as income, budgeting, credit, insurance, financial planning, and spending decisions through a series of scenarios that require active decision-making. You will also encounter simplified accounting concepts and explore how different financial choices influence your overall financial position.
13. JA Finance Park Virtual
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on specific camp
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Flexible
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school students
JA Finance Park Virtual is an online financial literacy experience that places you in simulated real-world financial situations and asks you to make decisions based on a monthly budget. Using a digital platform, you’ll take on an assigned lifestyle profile that includes factors such as income, family circumstances, and financial obligations. You will make choices related to housing, transportation, insurance, savings, and discretionary spending while balancing competing financial priorities. The experience is designed to show how everyday financial decisions are connected and how spending choices can affect long-term financial stability. Alongside budgeting activities, you’ll explore topics such as career planning, credit, and personal money management.
14. Wharton Global Youth – Financial Decision Making
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Fee of $4,099, limited scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 16 – 26, July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: January 28
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9-12
The Financial Decision Making program is a two-week online finance camp that examines how individuals, businesses, and governments make financial decisions. Led by Wharton faculty, the experience combines lectures, discussions, and group work to explore topics such as budgeting, borrowing, investing, inflation, financial markets, and risk. A distinctive feature of the camp is its use of real-world data, which allows you to analyze financial information and identify patterns using Excel. There will be small-group recitation sessions that provide additional opportunities to discuss concepts and work through financial problems with instructors and peers. Throughout the program, you’ll also consider questions surrounding ethics, public policy, and the broader impact of financial decisions on society. The camp concludes with a collaborative capstone project that requires you to apply financial concepts and data analysis techniques to a practical challenge.
15. Foundations of Finance and Investing (Futurowise)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Fee of $300
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 19 – July 16
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 14 and above
Futurowise’s Foundations of Finance and Investing Camp is a four-week online program that introduces students to the core ideas behind investing and financial decision-making. The camp examines topics like financial statements, company valuation, portfolio construction, risk management, and market analysis through live instruction and guided activities. You’ll spend time analyzing businesses, interpreting financial data, and discussing how investment decisions are made in real-world markets. Sessions also introduce key areas of the finance industry, including investment banking, asset management, and financial markets, to help you understand different career paths. Case-based exercises and portfolio-building activities are used throughout the camp to apply concepts to practical scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are online finance camps for high school students?
Online finance camps for high school students are short-term virtual programs, typically running from a few days to several weeks, that introduce you to investing, financial markets, business, and personal finance. Unlike longer summer programs or internships, camps are designed to give you a quick, focused introduction to the field through live sessions, simulations, and group projects.
Do I need prior finance knowledge to join one of these camps?
No. Most camps on this list are designed for beginners and assume no prior finance background. Programs like NextGen Investing Camp, Rapunzl’s Financial Literacy Summer Camp, and Banzai’s Finance Summer Camp are built specifically to introduce foundational concepts. More advanced camps, like Wharton’s Financial Decision Making program, still don’t require prior coursework, though they move at a faster pace.
Are there free online finance camps for high school students?
Yes. Rapunzl’s Financial Literacy Summer Camp, The Bridge’s Essentials of Finance, Wall Street Bound’s Wall Street 101, NextGen Investing Camp, and JA Finance Park Virtual are all free. Banzai’s camp also varies in cost depending on the specific version you choose, with free options available.
Which camps focus on investing and the stock market specifically?
Wharton’s Essentials of Finance, the Stevens Institute Finance & Investing Virtual Bootcamp, the Young Finance Scholar Program, Teach Me Wall Street’s two boot camps, and NextGen Investing Camp all center on investing, market analysis, and portfolio management. These differ from personal finance camps like Thrive Virtual Academy’s, which focus more on budgeting, credit, and everyday money management.
Which finance camps offer industry certifications or college credit?
The Stevens Institute of Technology Finance & Investing Virtual Bootcamp lets you work toward S&P certifications, including Capital IQ Pro 101 and Pro 201. Most other camps on this list offer certificates of completion rather than transferable college credit or industry credentials, so if credit is a priority, it’s worth confirming directly with the program.
How do I choose between a personal finance camp and an investing-focused camp?
If you’re more interested in understanding budgeting, credit, taxes, and everyday financial decisions, camps like Thrive Virtual Academy or JA Finance Park Virtual are a better starting point. If you’re drawn to markets, company valuation, and portfolio construction, investing-focused camps like Wharton’s programs or the Young Finance Scholar Program will be more directly relevant. Several camps, including Rapunzl’s and the PFPA camp, blend both areas if you’re not yet sure which direction interests you more.
Is there a next step after a short finance camp if I want to go deeper into research?
Yes. If a camp confirms that finance is a field you want to explore further, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs pairs you with a professor or PhD scholar to conduct independent, mentored research and produce a 20-page paper you can submit for academic publication. This works well for students who’ve completed an introductory camp and want a longer, more rigorous research experience afterward.
When should I apply to online finance camps for high school students?
Wharton’s Financial Decision Making program closes January 28, and its Essentials of Finance program closes March 18, making these the earliest deadlines on this list. The Bridge’s Essentials of Finance closes June 26 for its summer sessions. Most other camps, including Teach Me Wall Street’s programs, Futurowise, PFPA, and the Stevens Institute bootcamp, use rolling admissions, so you can typically apply close to your preferred session date.
Image source: Horizon Academic Research Program