In high school, summers usually feel like a pause from classes and routine, but they can also be the perfect time to explore new interests and build skills that last beyond school. That is one reason summer finance programs for high school students have become such a valuable option. They offer a chance to step outside your comfort zone, try something new, and make your summer feel purposeful as well as enjoyable.

Imagine spending part of your summer learning how money moves, how investment decisions are made, and how businesses respond to real-world challenges. Some programmes focus on hands-on activities, while others give you a strong foundation for university by developing practical skills in financial thinking, problem-solving, and business awareness.

There is also value beyond the academic side. Living and learning on campus can give you a real sense of university life, helping you build independence, meet like-minded peers, and feel more prepared for the move to higher education.

What types of summer finance programs are available for high school students?

Finding the right program isn’t always easy. Some can feel too basic, while others focus heavily on theory. It can be hard to tell which ones actually offer a meaningful learning experience. Many universities and organizations offer programs in areas like investing, economics, business, and personal finance. 

You can choose to go deeper into something you already like or explore a new area altogether. Most programs include guidance from instructors, interactive sessions, and opportunities to learn alongside other students.

No matter which program you choose, you’ll be learning by doing. To make things easier, we’ve curated a list of 15 summer finance programs for high school students. These are selected for their learning experience, practical exposure, and overall credibility.

To test your skills in a practical setting, you can consider applying for finance internships for high schoolers.

15 Summer Finance Programs for High School Students

1. Immerse Education’s Finance Summer School

Location: London, New York
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; rolling admissions
Eligibility: 15-18-year-old students worldwide

Immerse Education’s Finance Track is an intensive, two-week program that combines university-level theory with practical industry exposure. It allows you to explore financial markets and engage in complex problem-solving, where you’ll gain knowledge about a range of concepts, including financial analysis, regulatory frameworks, and investment strategies.

You’ll learn from finance professionals, engage in financial modeling exercises, and develop strategic planning and analytical thinking skills. The program will allow you to explore different career paths in the field of finance. You’ll also learn the strategies to reduce financial risks and address real-world challenges.

Why it stands out: It allows you to explore financial markets through modeling exercises, learn investment strategies, and develop analytical and strategic thinking skills with guidance from finance professionals.

2. Wharton Global Youth Program: Essentials of Finance

Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $8,299; scholarships are available
Dates: June 7-19; June 21st – July 3rd; July 12-25; July 26th – August 8th
Application Deadline: March 18th
Eligibility: Grade 9-11 high school students worldwide

Wharton Global Youth Program: Essentials of Finance offers a two-week intensive summer learning experience to high school students. You’ll be introduced to finance fundamentals and learn a range of topics, including interest rates, discounted cash flow, time value of money, net present value, alternative investments, venture capital, corporate valuation, and more.

You’ll develop financial decision-making skills in terms of both personal and corporate finance, engage in the group evaluation of a publicly traded company, and apply modern finance tools for presenting your market recommendation. The program will help you develop and sharpen a range of skills in communication, collaboration, critical thinking, presentations, and more. 

Why it stands out: You’ll gain insights about code finance concepts while also evaluating a publicly traded company using modern tools in finance and present an investment recommendation based on your analysis.

3. Federal Reserve Bank of Boston: TIP Internship

Location: Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Dates: July – August
Application Deadline: Typically, early Spring
Eligibility: Boston high school students who have completed their sophomore year; not open to international students

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston: TIP Internship offers a learning opportunity in accounting and finance to high school students. The program encourages participation from underrepresented youth. You’ll attend workshops on skill-building, gain clarity about a career in finance, and develop valuable financial skills and knowledge.

On program completion, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a year-round internship with a group of students based on individual interest, performance, effort, and open positions. If you’re a high school student interested in building practical skills in finance and accounting careers, this program could be a good option to consider.

Why it stands out: You’ll build finance and accounting skills through workshops and can continue with a year-round internship based on your performance.

4. Finance NYC: An Insider’s View (NYU SPS)

Location: NYU Washington Square (New York City)
Cost: $2,579 per course + $50 nonrefundable application fee
Dates: Session 1: June 29th – July 2nd; Session 2: July 6-10; Session 3: July 13-17; Session 4: July 20-24; Session 5: July 27-31; Session 6: August 3-7
Application Deadline: International Students: March 14th; Residential Students: April 29th; Commuter Students: June 12th
Eligibility: High school students who have completed grades 9, 10, or 11 by the start of the program; open to international students

The NYU SPS Finance NYC: An Insider’s View program provides you with a high-impact introduction to the financial world by leveraging its location in the global capital of Wall Street. Throughout the week, you will explore topics like financial analysis, investment management, the inner workings of the Federal Reserve, and the mechanics of risk and return in stock portfolios.

You will engage in hands-on activities such as trading stocks in a simulated environment, participating in site visits to major financial institutions, and collaborating on a final group project to pitch investment strategies. This program is taught by active industry experts who offer a bridge between textbook theories and the real-time shifts of modern economic conditions. 

Why it stands out: It transforms the entire city of New York into your classroom, providing direct access to the institutions and professionals that drive the global economy.

5. Summer at Waynflete – Personal Finance Summer Institute

Location: Personal Finance Summer Institute, Portland, ME
Cost: None
Dates: July 15-19
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: High school students who are residents of Maine and nominated by their school; open to international students (commuter only)

The Summer at Waynflete – Personal Finance Summer Institute offers an intensive five-day learning opportunity to high school students. You’ll learn from the Financial Education Programs specialist at FAME, Steve Kautz, and the Math and personal finance teacher at Waynflete, Steve Wither. You’ll explore a range of topics, including investing, economics, budgeting, education, taxes, and more.

Three students from each school are allowed to participate in the program and help you develop and sharpen your personal finance skills. The program is offered at no cost to Maine high school students. 

Why it stands out: You’ll learn personal finance topics like budgeting, investing, and taxes while building practical money management skills through expert-led sessions.

6. Introduction to Finance & Investment Management – Columbia University

Location: Columbia University, New York City
Cost: Three-week Residential: $12,838; Three-week Commuter: $6,381; One-week Commuter: $2,883; need-based scholarships are available
Dates: Session AA (1-Week): June 22-26; Session A (3-Week): June 29th – July 17th; Session B (3-Week): July 21st – August 7th; Session C (1-Week): August 3-7
Application Deadline: April 2nd
Eligibility: High-achieving students entering grades 9 through the summer following their senior year; comfortable with quantitative math; open to international students

In Columbia’s Introduction to Finance and Investment Management, you cover interest rates, compound interest, the time value of money, risk and reward, stock and bond valuation, and stock selection. You also study the functions of domestic and international financial markets, the structure of the financial system, including investment banks, asset managers, and central banks.

During the program, you will evaluate asset classes, analyze historical investment trends, and build your own investment portfolio. Ultimately, you learn quantitative analysis, critical thinking, and strategic portfolio management skills.

Why it stands out: It challenges high schoolers with rigorous, college-level mathematical expectations while enabling them to apply macroeconomic theories directly to real-world global market behaviors.

7. Pre-University Summer School at the University of Warwick

Location: University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
Cost: £5,250 (~$7,003) + £50 (~$67) Application fee (non-refundable)
Dates: July 14-24
Application Deadline: May 31st
Eligibility: 16-17-year-old students worldwide; English language requirements apply

Pre-University Summer School at the University of Warwick offers a 10-day summer learning experience to high school students. You’ll learn from experienced faculty, get to explore the beautiful campus at Warwick, and attend workshops to sharpen your communication and personal effectiveness skills.

You’ll have the opportunity to choose five courses from economics and finance, business, social sciences, arts and humanities, health, science and engineering, and medical and life sciences. You’ll attend sessions on academic and personal development, explore Warwick Castle, and engage in social and cultural activities. 

Why it stands out: It strongly encourages student leadership and interaction, so you could interact with undergraduates to get an idea about university life and academics.

8. Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI)

Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: 6 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: March 31st
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors residing in Chicago with a family income of $80,000 or less per year and a GPA of B or 3.0; not open to international students

Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) introduces high school students to the financial services sector. You’ll learn through practical case studies, engage in financial analysis, and gain knowledge from finance experts through valuable workshop sessions. You’ll explore a range of finance concepts, including corporate, banking, capital markets, and more. 

You’ll have the opportunity to interact with mentors and discuss a range of topics, including elevator pitches, interpersonal communication, leadership skills, and management styles. You will ultimately gain in-depth knowledge in investment research and develop many different career-specific skills, including effective communication, resume building, professional networking, and many more.

Why it stands out: You’ll analyze financial case studies, explore areas like banking and capital markets, and build skills in investment research and professional communication.

9. Business & Leadership Academy – Georgetown University

Location: Georgetown University Main Campus in Washington, D.C.
Cost: Residential: $9,085; Commuter: $7,085; need-based scholarships are available
Dates: July 19th – August 7th
Application Deadline: May 15th
Eligibility: Students in 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0; open to international students

At the Georgetown University Business Academy, you will dive directly into the core principles of modern commerce and ethical management. You will explore essential topics like finance, marketing, economics, and international business through the unique lens of social responsibility.

During the program, you will analyze real-world case studies, network with Washington, D.C. industry experts, develop an original startup concept, and pitch your comprehensive business plan to a panel. This experience uniquely blends Georgetown’s Jesuit values with hands-on learning to give you a strong ethical foundation. Ultimately, you will build highly transferable skills in public speaking, strategic problem-solving, and effective teamwork.

Why it stands out: It combines a rigorous business curriculum with Georgetown’s signature focus on ethical leadership and its unmatched access to the Washington, D.C. business ecosystem.

10. 1435 Capital Management’s Venture Analyst High School Internship

Location: Princeton, NJ
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: 10 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old, authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship, and able to commute to Princeton; not open to international students

1435 Capital Management’s Venture Analyst High School Internship allows you to explore the venture capital and finance world. You’ll participate in a hands-on learning experience by working in a venture capital firm, engaging with startups, and gaining knowledge about valuable investment strategies.

You’ll have the opportunity to develop important skills in the field of finance through real-world learning. If you’re a high school student interested in exploring the practical world of finance and gaining clarity about pursuing a career in the field, then this program could benefit you.

Why it stands out: You’ll work with a venture capital firm, analyze startups, and learn how investment decisions are made in real-world finance.

11. Wharton’s Cambridge, UK: Public Finance and Society Program

Location: University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England
Cost: $9,599 + $100 nonrefundable application fee; scholarships are available
Dates: July 18-31
Application Deadline: March 18th
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, as well as international students, are eligible

Wharton’s Cambridge, UK: Public Finance and Society Program offers a two-week opportunity to high school students to understand public finance. You’ll gain knowledge about the fundamental concepts in microeconomics, including externalities, supply and demand, and public goods. You’ll learn the role played by governments in different markets, understand the influence of policies of citizens, global economies, and businesses.

You’ll participate in group studies, engage in hands-on case studies, and apply the models of game theory and economic frameworks to understand the strategic decision-making behind governments, individuals, and firms. The program will also help you develop communication and analytical skills. 

Why it stands out: It exposes you to global economic policy discussions, helping you understand how government finance shapes real markets.

12. University of South Florida: Bulls Finance

Location: USF Tampa – Muma College of Business, Tampa, FL
Cost: $750; scholarships are available
Dates: June 22-26
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12; open to international students

University of South Florida: Bulls Finance is an intensive, one-week summer program hosted by the Muma College of Business designed to provide high school students with hands-on experience in financial literacy, stock market analysis, and fintech through the use of professional tools like Bloomberg Terminals. You’ll learn from USF faculty members and experts from the USF Federal Credit Union, engage in hands-on activities, and develop real-world insights in finance.

You’ll gain knowledge about financial literacy, making informed financial decisions, and gain clarity to pursue a future career in the field of finance. You’ll explore a range of topics, including financial planning, FinTech, corporate finance, and personal finance.

Why it stands out: You’ll learn financial planning, FinTech, and corporate finance through hands-on activities while building real-world decision-making skills in finance.

13. Finance Institute: Wall Street in the Classroom

Location: Fordham’s Rose Hill Campus, Bronx, NY
Cost: $1,300; need-based financial aid available
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions between June 15th and July 31st
Application Deadline: April 1st
Eligibility: All domestic and international high school students 

Finance Institute: Wall Street in the Classroom offers a one-week learning opportunity in finance for high school students. You’ll engage in thoughtful discussions and listen to guest speakers from renowned finance companies.

You’ll learn from the recent Gabelli School of Business alumni visiting the classroom, exploring a range of areas in finance, including economics basics, stocks, bonds, monetary policy, alternative investments, cryptocurrency, investment and risk management, and more. If you’re a high school student interested in expanding your knowledge of finance, this program could be a good option to consider.

Why it stands out: You’ll learn how real-world finance works by interacting with industry speakers and exploring topics like stocks, crypto, and investing.

14. Purdue University Northwest’s Personal Finance and Investments Summer Camp

Location: Purdue University Northwest, Hammond Campus, IN
Cost: None
Dates: July 7-11
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students ages 14-17; open to international students (commuter only)

Purdue University Northwest’s Personal Finance and Investments Summer Camp offers a free, in-person learning opportunity to high school students. You’ll participate in classroom activities organized by PNW’s College of Business, gain access to valuable resources, and engage in thoughtful discussions on personal finance management, banking, investments, and budgeting.

The classroom activities include building a personal finance statement, investing in a game focused on the stock market, and developing a budget. If you’re a high school student interested in learning about finance while gaining the experience of a summer camp, this program could be a good option to consider.

Why it stands out: You’ll build a personal finance plan, create a budget, and practice investing through a stock market simulation while learning core money management skills.

15. Morgan State University’s Summer Accounting Academy

Location: Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Cost: None
Dates: July 7-11
Application Deadline: June 15th
Eligibility: High school juniors, seniors, and community college students; open to international students (commuter only)

Morgan State University’s Summer Accounting Academy offers a five-day learning opportunity to high school students. You’ll be introduced to accounting at the college level, gain knowledge from industry professionals, and receive college preparation guidance. You’ll learn about a range of topics, including public accounting, governmental accounting, and other areas.

You’ll also have the chance to explore accounting and finance through a field trip to a Big Four accounting firm. You’ll gain exposure to accounting career areas and professions, present group-based case studies on using financial ratios for evaluating business performance, and understand the role of Excel in accounting and finance-related professions. 

Why it stands out: You’ll learn accounting fundamentals, use financial ratios to evaluate businesses, and apply Excel skills while exploring careers through case studies and field visits.

Turn Finance Experience Into University Readiness

The right programme can do more than fill your summer, giving you first-hand exposure to investment ideas, market thinking, and the fast pace of finance.

That is why summer finance programs for high school students can be so valuable, helping you explore trading, economics, business strategy, and real-world financial decision-making.

They also give you substance for applications, from stronger personal reflections to clearer academic interests and better examples to discuss confidently in interviews.

Read our University Preparation blogs to turn that finance experience into stronger applications, with guidance that helps you connect your interests to competitive university choices.