Top 10 Finance Internships for High School Students in 2025–2026

Finance internships for high school students give you early exposure to how the financial world works.  Even major financial institutions like J.P. Morgan and Bank of America, with their highly popular Student Leaders Program, offer paid internships where you can learn about markets, banking, leadership, and economic decision-making firsthand. These internships help you build practical skills and start figuring out whether finance, business, or economics is a path you want to pursue long before college.

In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best finance internships available to high school students in the U.S., what makes each one unique, and how they can set you up for success in college and beyond. You’ll also learn about eligibility, application timelines, and what to expect from each experience.

• What Are the Best Finance Internships for High School Students?
• J.P. Morgan’s Smart Start Program
• Venture Analyst Internship by 1435 Capital Management
• Bank of America Student Leaders Program
• Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI)
• CLA High School Internship Program
• KP LAUNCH High School Internship Program
• San Antonio Sports Finance Intern
• Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) Internship Program
• Fidelity Investments High School Summer Internship
• EXPLORE Financial Empowerment Institute
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best Finance Internships for High School Students?

Getting early exposure to finance is one of the smartest moves you can make in high school. These internships help you build real-world skills like managing budgets, analyzing data, and communicating professionally that most people don’t learn until college or later. They also give you a huge advantage when it comes to college applications, since you’ll already have hands-on experience in a competitive field.

Let’s look at ten of the best finance internships for high school students. The list below summarizes each program’s name, location, and important dates so you can easily compare them:

Now, let’s discuss each program one by one.

J.P. Morgan’s Smart Start Program

• Dates: Part-time during academic year + full-time during summers (summer dates vary)
• Location: Primarily New York City
• Benefits: Full college tuition scholarship, stipend, paid internships

This program, also known as the Thomas G. Labrecque Smart Start Program, is aimed at graduating high school seniors who want to jumpstart a path in finance, banking, or business. Rather than a short summer gig, Smart Start is designed as a 4-year commitment: you work part time while in college, and full time during summer breaks.

Over time, you’ll rotate through different J.P. Morgan business units (investment banking, asset management, corporate functions, etc.) and gain exposure to financial analysis, credit evaluation, portfolio management, and risk assessment—making it one of the most well-rounded finance internships for high school students who want both technical and professional growth.

Highlights include mentorship by bank professionals, networking opportunities, project work across departments, and guaranteed paid internships. Because of the scholarship component, Smart Start is part internship, part financial aid package. To apply, you typically must be a graduating senior from a New York City high school, accepted at one of J.P. Morgan’s partner colleges in NYC, meet GPA/test criteria, and submit essays and recommendations.

One thing that makes Smart Start unique is that it’s both a scholarship and a long-term internship. You don’t just intern for a single summer—you’ll also build a multi-year pipeline with the firm, often with a full tuition benefit.

Venture Analyst Internship by 1435 Capital Management

• Dates: Summer 2025 (10-week internship; applications close by April 4, 2025)
• Location: Hybrid, with in-person work in Princeton, New Jersey
• Benefits: Paid internship through stipend

This Venture Analyst Internship is for motivated high school students (usually rising juniors or seniors, 16–18 years old) who are curious about venture capital, startups, and investment analysis. Over the summer, interns act as junior analysts, researching emerging companies, conducting due diligence, testing products, and supporting portfolio monitoring.

The structure is hybrid: interns split time in the Princeton office and work remotely, collaborating with 1435 Capital’s team. Learning outcomes include sharpening analytical skills (financial modeling, market research), understanding investment strategy, communicating with founders, and strengthening teamwork.

A highlight of this internship is access to mentorship from real investors, exposure to startup deal flow, networking, and even connecting with Homeroom Fund, a high school–led venture fund overseen by 1435, making it one of the most hands-on finance internships for high school students interested in venture capital and entrepreneurship.

Eligibility rests on being a U.S. high school student (typically rising junior or senior), over age 16, and able to commit full-time during the summer. Applicants submit resumes, essays, and recommendations. Selections are highly competitive, with only 3 to 4 being accepted from hundreds. Lastly, this internship is tightly scoped around venture capital rather than general finance, giving you rare exposure to startup investing early on.

Bank of America Student Leaders Program

• Dates: Summer 2025, eight weeks (includes one full week at a national summit)
• Location: Internships hosted locally at nonprofit organizations across the U.S.; summit in Washington, D.C.
• Benefits: Paid internship and all summit expenses covered

The Student Leaders program is for high school juniors and seniors who are community-driven and want to gain leadership and work experience. Over eight weeks, interns work 35 hours per week at a nonprofit near them and tackle projects that help communities while building real skills. At the tail end of the program, participants come together for a week-long summit in D.C. focused on how business, government, and nonprofits collaborate for social impact.

Through this experience, you’ll sharpen skills in project management, communication, problem-solving, and civic awareness. Interns often get mentorship from nonprofit or business leaders, engage in workshops on leadership and public service, and network with peers and professionals. You’ll see behind the scenes of nonprofit operations and gain hands-on exposure to managing impact-focused initiatives.

To qualify, you must be a current junior or senior in high school, authorized to work in the U.S. through September 2025, and able to commit to the full eight-week internship plus the summit. All these make this particular program an excellent opportunity among finance internships for high school students who want leadership and community experience.

One letter of recommendation is required, and students must live in eligible markets (since not every city participates). What makes this program stand out is its blend of paid work, leadership training, and a national summit that connects you with civic and business changemakers.

If you want to learn how students combine leadership, community service, and professional experience, check out our blog on the Bank of America Student Leaders Program.

Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI)

• Dates: 6 weeks in summer (typically June to August)
• Location: Chicago, Illinois
• Benefits: Free for students (paid internship)

CSBI is for Chicago high school sophomores and juniors who want a hands-on introduction to the financial services world. Students are placed in local banks, accounting firms, or financial offices, where they work four days a week on tasks like basic accounting, market research, and office operations, while one day per week is reserved for classroom seminars.

The program is structured as a hybrid of practical work and classroom learning. You’ll gain exposure to financial markets, business fundamentals, financial modeling basics, client relations, and office operations. This is one of the finance internships for high school students that includes mentorship from finance professionals, weekly workshops, hands-on projects, and networking events. Some interns even meet local city officials or firm executives at the wrap-up.

To apply, you must live in Chicago, be a high school sophomore or junior (in the 2025-2026 school year), maintain at least a “B” (3.0) GPA, and come from a household with an income under $80,000. Applications generally open in February through March. 

What makes CSBI distinctive is its community focus and strong support for underrepresented students—it lowers barriers for those who might not otherwise get access to real finance exposure.

CLA High School Internship Program

• Dates: Typically four weeks in summer (e.g. June 17 – July 19, 2024)
• Location: Select CLA offices across the U.S.
• Beneifts: Free for participants; paid internship

CLA’s High School Internship Program is for students aged 16 to 18 who are curious about accounting, consulting, tax, and professional services. Interns get to work on real client projects, case studies, and office tasks while shadowing CLA professionals in their daily work. In-person work is the norm, with interns expected on-site during the program.

Through this experience, interns sharpen skills in financial analysis, audit basics, tax concepts, client communication, and teamwork, making it one of the most practical finance internships for high school students interested in accounting and professional services.

The structure includes interactive case studies, team projects, professional shadowing, and departmental rotations, giving a full view of how accounting firms operate. Mentorship, office networking, and exposure to industry conferences or client meetings are among the top perks.

To apply, you must be at least 16, a high school student (often a rising junior or senior), and available full-time during the program. Applications usually open in March. A standout feature of CLA’s internship is how it integrates high schoolers into firm operations, with interns contributing meaningfully to projects alongside full-time staff.

KP LAUNCH High School Internship Program

• Dates: June 15th – July 31st, 2026
• Location: Northern California (Kaiser Permanente offices/medical centers)
• Benefits: Free; interns are paid

KP LAUNCH (Learning About Unlimited New Careers in Healthcare) gives high school students a real-world entry into non-clinical healthcare careers, including finance, operations, administration, and support services. The internship is aimed at students (ages 16–19) who often come from underrepresented backgrounds and want exposure to hospital systems beyond clinical work.

The program runs full-time over the summer. Interns are placed in various departments—like finance, accounting, supply chain, project management, HR—and take part in project-based work, workshops, shadowing, and educational training days. Key learning goals include financial analysis, budgeting basics, organizational operations, communication, and teamwork.

The mix of on-the-job tasks plus structured development sessions is a strong feature, making it one of the most well-rounded finance internships for high school students interested in exploring healthcare operations and the business side of it. Mentors and supervisors help you navigate assignments, and at the end, interns often present a capstone project or community awareness piece

To apply, you must be a current high school student (priority given to juniors or seniors), age 16–19, and eligible to work in the U.S. Applications typically open in late fall. A unique aspect of KP LAUNCH is its deliberate inclusion of non-clinical tracks, which means you don’t need to be medical-minded to explore healthcare finance or operations. It’s a mix of meaningful work and professional growth in a large, mission-driven organization.

San Antonio Sports Finance Intern

• Dates: Year-round (flexible schedule)
• Location: San Antonio, Texas
• Benefits: Free for interns (often paid via stipend, or at least unpaid but structured)

San Antonio Sports runs internship opportunities (including in finance) for motivated high school students looking to peek behind the curtain of a nonprofit with athletic programming. Interns support the finance department by assisting with tasks like accounts receivable/payable, data entry, journal entries, audit prep, and preparing monthly or annual reports.

Structurally, this internship is in-person and ongoing (not just summer), making it one of the few finance internships for high school students that offer year-round experience. You’ll build technical fundamentals, financial record keeping, basic analysis, month-end reports, and soft skills like attention to detail and collaboration. Perks include mentorship from nonprofit financial staff and the chance to see how finance works in a community and sports setting

Eligibility is generally for San Antonio area high school students aged 15–19. Applications are rolling, and deadlines depend on department needs. A distinctive feature is that, in addition to doing office work, you will also gain hands-on exposure to nonprofit finances related to sports, which is rare for high school interns.

Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) Internship Program

• Dates: Summer (June–August) with possibility of year-round extension
• Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Boston, MA
• Benefits: Free for interns; paid employment

TIP is for high school students, usually sophomores onward, in Greater Boston who want a structured, professional first job experience. The summer term kicks off with workplace exposure and training, then outstanding interns may be invited to continue during the school year, some for up to three years.

During the internship, interns are placed in real Federal Reserve departments, working on meaningful tasks (like data analysis, research support, and administrative functions) alongside full-time staff. This is one of the finance internships for high school students that emphasizes both technical skills (like financial literacy, quantitative reasoning, and report writing) and soft skills (conflict resolution, communication, and workplace professionalism). Enrichment workshops, job coaching, and cohort networking are important parts of the experience.

To be eligible, you must be a high school student, reside in Boston’s public school districts or meet income-eligibility criteria, and apply via the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC). TIP stands out because it’s a summer job where students who perform well can secure long-term internships and bridge high school into future education or work.

Fidelity Investments High School Summer Internship

• Dates: 5 weeks, typically July to August 2025
• Location: Boston, MA (on-site)
• Benefits: Free; interns receive a stipend

This internship is meant for high school students who want an introduction to finance, asset management, or investment operations. Interns join a Fidelity team and tackle real-world projects, like analyzing investment options, evaluating risk, or helping with portfolio support. The idea is to make sure you both observe and do.

Work is in person at their Boston office. You’ll gain technical skills like financial analysis, risk assessment, portfolio basics, plus soft skills like communication and presenting findings. Aside from daily assignments, this is one of the finance internships for high school students that offer mentoring sessions, learning workshops, and opportunities to network with analysts and managers. At the end, interns often present a final project to higher-ups.

To be eligible, you typically must be a high school student (rising junior or senior), submit a resume, essay, or project sample, and letters of recommendation. The program is selective. What makes it stand out is its focus on asset/portfolio side experience early on. Many internships at this level are more administrative, but here you’re contributing meaningfully to investment work.

EXPLORE Financial Empowerment Institute

• Dates: One week in summer (2026 dates are presently undisclosed)
• Location: University of Houston, Houston, Texas
• Benefits: Free to attend

This finance program targets high school students (rising 9th to 11th graders) who want an early dive into personal finance and business fundamentals. Over the course of a week, participants engage in interactive lectures, case studies, and group work designed to mirror a finance-major experience.

You’ll acquire essential skills in budgeting, goal setting, saving strategies, basic investing, and financial decision-making, making it one of the most accessible finance internships for high school students who want to build real-world money management skills early. You’ll also collaborate on projects, join workshops, and get exposure to real financial planning concepts. Mentorship from faculty and finance students rounds out the experience.

Applicants should be in grades 9–11, apply through the Bauer College’s outreach portal, and submit basic info/essays. A standout feature is its accessibility and focus on financial empowerment, not just corporate finance, making it great for students who want personal and community impact alongside technical knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is considered the most prestigious finance internship?

Programs like J.P. Morgan’s Smart Start and the Bank of America Student Leaders Program are often viewed as the most prestigious because of their selectivity, national reach, and long-term career pipelines.

2. Do these programs require previous finance knowledge?

Not usually. Most are designed to teach fundamentals from the ground up. A genuine interest in business, math, or economics is more important than prior experience.

3. Are there virtual options available in 2025?

Yes. Some programs, like the 1435 Capital Management Venture Analyst Internship, offer hybrid or remote options to make participation accessible nationwide.

4. How competitive are high school finance internships?

Highly competitive. Top programs receive hundreds of applications for a few spots, so strong grades, leadership, and well-written essays can make a big difference.

5. Can finance internships improve my college application?

Absolutely. Finance internships show initiative, analytical ability, and real-world experience—qualities colleges love to see, especially for students interested in business or economics.

Takeaways

• Finance plays a role in every industry, proving that financial skills are valuable no matter your future career path.
• Mentorship in these finance internships for high school students helps students understand the industry, gain confidence, and explore new career possibilities.
• Many internships actively support underrepresented students, making finance more inclusive and accessible.
• Early exposure to finance builds strong skills and helps students make clearer, more confident college and career decisions.
• Working with a college admissions advisor can help you choose internships that align with your interests and strengthen your college applications.