High school students with a passion for finance can get a head start with a summer program. These finance programs can provide invaluable skills, boost college applications, and help you determine your future career path. From immersive university programs to virtual mentorship and fintech workshops, there are plenty of ways to gain experience before you finish high school. 

Here are 10 finance programs for high school students that combine hands-on learning, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

1. Wharton Global Youth Program: Essentials of Finance by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania 

The Essentials of Finance Program by the Wharton Global Youth Program introduces high school students to the core principles that drive financial markets. During the two-week residential program, you’ll learn the fundamentals of personal and corporate finance, like the time value of money, risk and return, corporate accounting, and investment strategies through lectures and group projects. You can also attend the Wharton Global Youth Speaker Series, covering topics like financial literacy, how to borrow money, and crisis management.

You’ll use the knowledge you gain to analyze financial scenarios and develop solutions to real-world financial problems. The program also gives you the opportunity to experience campus life at the University of Pennsylvania and will grant you a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion at the end.

Cost: $8,299 (tentatively, based on previous years)

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Application Deadline: March (tentatively, based on previous years)

Program Dates: June to August (tentatively, based on previous years) 

Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9 to 11

2. Stripe Work-Experience Program by Delta Institute

Delta Institute’s Delve Work-Experience Program allows high school students to gain hands-on experience in a field they’re passionate about. If your interests lie in financial technology, the virtual work-experience program with Stripe, one of the world’s leading payment technology companies, is a good fit for you. You’ll learn about the fintech landscape and Stripe’s role within it, while you build key skills needed to complete a final project.

You’ll gain practical expertise in product development, including market analysis, user research, and strategic planning. At the end of the program, you’ll present your project to Stripe representatives and receive a referral letter that can impress colleges and future employers.

Cost: $4,900

Location: Virtual 

Application Deadline: Varies depending on the company (you can check all upcoming deadlines here)

Program Dates: Cohort II: August 1 to September 6

Eligibility: Open to high school students globally

3. Wall Street Stock Market & Investment Experience by the New York Institute of Finance (NYIF)

Through a collaboration with Westcoast Connection, the New York Institute of Finance offers a 1 to 2 week summer program for students interested in financial markets and investments. You’ll learn the fundamentals of subjects like trading, wealth management, venture capital, private equity, cryptocurrency, and financial statement analysis through collaborative projects and engaging sessions led by NYIF faculty. 

Beyond the classroom, you’ll explore the Big Apple through activities, such as a guided tour of the Financial District, tasting the best eats in famous neighborhoods, and exploring Central Park. At the end of the program, you’ll receive a certificate of completion and a recommendation letter upon request, and you’ll have ongoing access to some of NYIF’s continuing education webinars.

Cost: $3,899–$6,699 (for residential students) or $1,899–$3,599 (for commuter students)

Location: New York City, New York

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Program Dates: July 6 to July 17

Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 9 to 12

4. Deepen Mentorship Program by Delta Careers

The Deepen Mentorship Program by Delta Careers offers high school students a virtual one-on-one mentorship experience designed to explore careers in their field of interest, including finance. You’ll be paired with an experienced mentor who can provide guidance on topics like personal finance, corporate finance, investment strategies, and financial markets. 

Over the 8 weeks, you’ll work together on a personalized project that aligns with your career goals and can enhance your resume and college application. After presenting your project and receiving an expert critique, you’ll receive a strong letter of recommendation highlighting your skills and what you’ve achieved in the program. 

Cost: $6,500

Location: Virtual

Application Deadline: March 29 

Program Dates: Varies

Eligibility: High school students globally

5. Introduction to Investments by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Every year, UCLA hosts over 800 Summer Sessions, covering a wide range of academic subjects. The Introduction to Investments Summer Session is a 3-week program designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career in finance or investing. You’ll develop a foundation in financial literacy through lectures, discussion sessions, and case study analyses on topics like financial markets, stock ownership, global markets, and international investing.

This Summer Session is available in person at UCLA or virtually to make it more accessible to students around the world. A final exam will be held at the end of the program to assess your understanding of the key concepts covered throughout the course, and you’ll be granted a letter grade, though there is a pass or no pass option if you prefer.

Cost: $2,330 (virtual) or $3,156 (commuter)

Location: Los Angeles, California, or virtual

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Program Dates: Session A (commuter): July 13 to July 31

Eligibility: High school students globally who are at least 15 years old by June 22 with a GPA of 3.2 or higher

6. Wall Street 101 by Bentley University

Wall Street 101, offered by Bentley University, is a pre-college summer program that introduces rising high school juniors and seniors to the fundamentals of business, finance, and the global economy. The program is structured as a series of 1-week courses, allowing you to explore 1 or more areas of finance either online or on campus at Bentley University as a commuter or residential student. Choose from 5 specialized financial courses: Macroeconomics & Financial Markets, Personal Finance, Stock Market & Investment Research, FinTech Startups, or Global Finance and Trade.

During the course, you’ll participate in college-level lectures, policy debates, interactive simulations, group assignments, and presentations that explore how financial systems and markets operate. If you attend in-person lectures, you’ll also have the opportunity to test out industry platforms like Bloomberg and FactSet. 

Cost: $1,490 (online), $2,450 (commuter), or $3,480 (residential)

Location: Virtual or in Waltham, Massachusetts

Application Deadline: Rolling admission until June 1

Program Dates: June 8 to July 10

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors

7. Math in the Wild: Games, Art, and Other Applications by Brown University

Each year, Brown University hosts Summer@Brown, a pre-college summer program that allows high school students to explore college-level subjects and experience college life. You can choose from more than 230 non-credit courses, but let’s focus on Math in the Wild: Games, Art, and Other Applications. This 3-week course introduces students to mathematics through recreational activities, games, and art, exploring topics like probability and gambling, graph theory, and the mathematics behind origami. 

Class time will be split between short lectures and hands-on activities with your classmates, allowing you to develop intuition, work collaboratively on problems, and formalize your ideas into written proofs. By the end of the course, you’ll have a deeper understanding of mathematical thinking and be better prepared for college-level math courses, armed with your course performance report. 

Cost: $6,416 (commuter) or $8,372 (residential)

Location: Providence, Rhode Island

Application Deadline: May 9

Program Dates: July 6 to July 24

Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors

8. Bulls Finance Camp by the University of South Florida

The University of South Florida’s Bull Finance Camp introduces students to personal finance, corporate finance, and investment strategies. Over 1 week, you’ll learn through lectures, case studies, and hands-on exercises designed to simulate real financial decision-making, all led by university faculty. You’ll also gain experience using Bloomberg Terminal technology to simulate trading and analyze real-time market data in the school’s state-of-the-art trading room. 

Beyond the technical skills and knowledge you’ll develop, the camp will give you the chance to hear from seasoned finance professionals, gain insights into the industry, and receive valuable career advice. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with fellow finance enthusiasts, build lasting friendships, and expand your professional network as well. 

Cost: $750

Location: Tampa, Florida

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Program Dates: June 22 to June 26

Eligibility: Students entering 9th to 12th grade

9. Peggy Ward Financial Education Center (PWFEC) Wealth Management Camp by North Carolina Central University

North Carolina Central University hosts Business Summer Camps each year for teens interested in working in accounting, wealth management, real estate, cybersecurity, or entrepreneurship. The PWFEC Wealth Management Camp, in particular, teaches high school students valuable financial skills. During the week-long camp, you’ll participate in interactive sessions introducing you to the fundamentals of wealth management, including investing, budgeting, and financial planning. 

You’ll also collaborate on group activities and case studies, gaining hands-on experience while competing for cool prizes. At the end of camp, you’ll receive a certificate of completion that you can use to enhance your resume or college applications.

Cost: $50 

Location: Durham, North Carolina

Application Deadline: May 28

Program Dates: June 23 to June 27

Eligibility: Students entering 9th to 12th grade

10. Dollars and Sense Camp by Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University offers a range of summer camps, including the week-long Dollar and Sense camp. It’s designed to teach students financial literacy and long-term financial planning by exploring topics like budgeting, insurance, investing, real estate, and retirement planning. Each class is discussion-based and led by experts from the Haworth College of Business Department of Finance and Commercial Law or the private sector.

You’ll also have time to work on your personal goals as you discover different career pathways in the finance industry, plan for college or a skilled trade, and build a financial plan to fund post-secondary education. 

Cost: $299

Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Program Dates: August 17 to August 21

Eligibility: Students in grades 8 through 12