Top 13 Government Internships for High School Students in 2025-2026

Government internships give you a close look at how public service works and what it’s like to contribute to community or national projects. These programs allow you to explore fields like law, public policy, national security, and public administration while learning from professionals.

In this blog, you’ll find 13 of the best government internships for high school students. Each program is explained in clear, easy-to-follow sections so you can understand what it offers and who can apply. Use this list to explore programs that strengthen your experience and help you stand out in future college applications.

• What Are the Best Government Internships for High School Students?
• U.S. Senate Page Program
• U.S. Department of State Pathways Internship Program
• National Security Agency High School Work Study (NSA HSWS)
• National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program (SIP)
• Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars
• NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
• U.S. Department of the Treasury Headquarters Student Internship Program
• U.S. Department of Education Student Volunteer Unpaid Internship Program
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Student Experience Program
• Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) Pathways Summer Internship Program
• NYC Office of the Mayor Internship Program
• Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program (TMSLIP)
• Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Program
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best Government Internships for High School Students?

Below is an overview of 13 top government internships for high school students, covering different agencies, focus areas, and opportunities.

Let’s discuss each program one by one.

1. U.S. Senate Page Program

• Dates: September 1–January 23, 2026 (Fall 2025); January 25–June 5, 2026 (Spring 2026); June 7–June 26, 2026 (Summer Session I); July 12–August 7, 2026 (Summer Session II)
• Location: U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.
• Cost: $1,200/month for housing and meals (deducted from pay); pages receive a prorated portion of the $37,238 annual salary

The U.S. Senate Page Program gives you a close look at how the Senate works while you live and study in Washington, D.C. Pages come from different parts of the country, so you’ll meet students with new perspectives and learn how government decisions are made. You work in the Capitol each day and see firsthand how senators debate, vote, and move legislation forward.

Page responsibilities include:

• Delivering correspondence and legislative materials across the Capitol
• Preparing the Senate Chamber before sessions
• Assisting on the Senate floor during votes and debates
• Carrying bills and amendments to the clerk’s desk

The schedule is demanding, and pages are expected to follow all workplace rules, program guidelines, and a strict code of conduct. Because pages are official Senate employees, they must meet high standards of behavior and professionalism.

Since every page is sponsored by a senator and only 30 students are selected at a time, the program is highly competitive. To qualify, you need a minimum 3.0 GPA and must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. After confirming you meet the requirements, you can contact your senators to request consideration.

2. U.S. Department of State Pathways Internship Program

• Dates: Year-round openings
• Location: U.S. Department of State, Washington D.C. and other federal agencies
• Cost: Paid GS-level internship; eligible for leave and some health benefits

The U.S. Department of State’s Pathways Internship Program gives students a chance to explore federal careers while earning paid work experience. Positions are available nationwide, with openings appearing on USAJOBS throughout the year.

It offers two main tracks, and both tracks accept high school, college, and graduate students who want practical experience in government:

• Internship Experience Program (IEP). IEP interns receive non-temporary appointments that last through their academic program. They may earn promotions if they meet job qualifications and are eligible for federal benefits. Students who complete the program may also be converted to full-time federal positions.
• Internship Temporary Program (ITEP). ITEP interns receive short-term appointments during school breaks or throughout the year. These roles don’t offer promotion potential, and students must reapply on USAJOBS for higher-level positions. Interns who work enough monthly hours may qualify for health insurance and be converted to full-time competitive service positions after completing the Pathways Program.

Internships can be part-time or full-time depending on the assignment. Students must keep a minimum 2.5 GPA, stay enrolled in school, and meet eligibility requirements at both the time of application and the start of the internship.

3. National Security Agency High School Work Study (NSA HSWS)

• Dates: September–June, with possible extension through late August
• Location: NSA Headquarters in Maryland or field sites in Colorado, Georgia, Texas, Hawaii, Utah, and Alaska
• Cost: Paid position at the GGD 01/01 wage level

The National Security Agency High School Work Study (NSA HSWS) Program is a part-time opportunity for rising seniors who are enrolled in a school-sponsored work experience program and live near an NSA site. Students work from September through June, with the option to extend through mid-August. Interns are hired on temporary appointments and placed in roles that match their skills and each office’s needs.

Job assignments vary by location and may include administrative support, computer or engineering assistance, printing and graphic arts, model shop work, logistics, Chinese language, and intelligence analysis. Interns receive paid time off, holiday leave, and sick leave while gaining hands-on experience in NSA offices.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, and a minimum unweighted GPA of 2.5 is preferred.

4. National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program (SIP)

• Dates: June-August (2026 dates to be announced)
• Location: Multiple NIH campuses, including the main campus in Bethesda, Maryland
• Cost: Free program with stipends that vary each year based on education level

The NIH High School Summer Internship Program is one of the most prestigious government internships for high school students. Interns work in biomedical and behavioral science labs at the NIH and learn how real research is planned, tested, and analyzed.

Students are placed in a specific lab and receive daily guidance from a principal investigator or senior researcher. Depending on the project, interns may help collect data, perform basic experiments, support computational or statistical work, or assist with preparing scientific materials. NIH also hosts seminars, career talks, and workshops to help students learn more about research paths in medicine and science.

The internship usually runs for about eight weeks from mid-June to early August. Although the 2025 program was canceled due to federal budget delays, NIH has confirmed that the program will resume in 2026, with updated information released closer to the application period.

If you want more information on how to apply, check out our complete guide to NIH SIP.

5. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars

• Dates: Dates not publicly posted
• Location: Several locations across the U.S.
• Cost: Paid stipend at GS-1 Step 1 ($501.60/week)

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program offers paid STEM internships for upper-level high school students who want research experience. Interns work with AFRL scientists and engineers on advanced projects involving aerospace, technology, and national defense.

AFRL Scholars are hosted at several locations across the country, including AFOSR in Virginia, Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Students may apply to more than one site but must submit a separate application for each location.

Applicants are encouraged to have at least a 3.0 GPA, though a lower GPA doesn’t automatically disqualify you. You must be a U.S. citizen and enrolled at least half-time in a school that leads to a diploma, degree, or certificate during the semester before the internship begins.

6. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships

• Dates: Dates not publicly posted
• Location: Various NASA centers
• Cost: Paid internship with stipends based on academic level and location

NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) paid internships allow high school students to contribute to NASA projects. These opportunities are available across multiple NASA centers, and more than 2,000 students each year gain hands-on experience that supports the agency’s mission in science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration.

Interns work closely with NASA scientists, engineers, and other professionals who guide them through research and technical tasks. These tasks may include data analysis, hardware testing, engineering support, software projects, communications, and more, depending on the center and assignment.

Positions can be full-time or part-time, and interns receive a stipend that varies by academic level and location.

NASA runs three internship sessions each year, and you’re encouraged to check the OSTEM site often for openings and updates. The application deadlines for 2026 are February 27 for summer internships and May 22 for fall placements.

If you want to explore more government internships for high school students, read our guide to NASA internships.

7. U.S. Department of the Treasury Headquarters Student Internship Program

• Dates: January–May (Spring Internship); May–August (Summer Internship); September–December (Fall Internship)
• Location: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Washington, D.C.
• Cost: Unpaid internship

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Headquarters Student Internship Program gives high school students the chance to support Treasury’s work on economic policy and financial security. This unpaid internship is based in Washington, D.C., and offers direct exposure to federal careers inside a cabinet-level agency.

Treasury internships allow students to:

• Build experience tied to their academic and career interests
• Strengthen communication, leadership, and analytical skills
• Explore career paths in the federal government
• Develop professional contacts across the agency
• See how a major department operates day to day

Students come from a range of fields, including economics, political science, finance, communications, legal studies, and STEM areas such as computer science, engineering, and statistics.

Daily responsibilities depend on placement, but often include analyzing data for policy projects, summarizing research related to Treasury’s mission, drafting briefing materials, and supporting meetings with internal and external partners.

Students must be U.S. citizens and remain enrolled throughout the internship, which have sessions in the spring, summer, and fall.

8. U.S. Department of Education Student Volunteer Unpaid Internship Program

• Dates: January–May (Winter/Spring); May–August (Summer); September–December (Fall)
• Location: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C.
• Cost: Unpaid internship

The U.S. Department of Education’s Student Volunteer Internship Program is one of the government internships for high school students that offers practical experience inside a federal education agency. This eight- to ten-week program allows you to build skills tied to your academic or career interests while learning how the Department’s programs and policies work.

Each internship is tailored to the student’s background and the needs of the assigned program office. Opportunities are available in:

• Human resources
• Education policy
• Data analytics
• Project management
• Training and development
• Grants management
• Communications
• Information technology

Work schedules are flexible. Most interns work 20–40 hours per week during the school year and full-time in the summer, with exact hours set during the interview. Beyond their assigned duties, interns can also join department events such as sessions with senior officials, resume and professional development workshops, and tours of D.C. landmarks.

9. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Student Experience Program

• Dates: January–May (Winter/Spring); May–August (Summer); August–December (Fall)
• Location: U.S. Department of Energy, Washington D.C.
• Cost: Unpaid internship

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Student Experience Program is a government internship that gives students hands-on learning in a federal agency focused on science, technology, and national energy policy. Although the internship is unpaid, students gain practical skills for today’s workforce and may receive academic credit or stipends through their school.

Program benefits include:

• Networking with DOE professionals
• Meaningful work experience
• Personal and professional skill development
• Early exposure to energy-related careers

DOE matches students to offices based on their interests and skill sets. Internship opportunities span several fields, including communications, human resources, information technology, law, public policy, STEM, and workplace safety.

To participate, students must be enrolled at least half-time in an accredited school, maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, and be U.S. citizens. Assignments are available year-round, and work can take place during the school year, summer, or academic breaks. Specific duties and weekly schedules are outlined in the student experience agreement for each intern.

10. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) Pathways Summer Internship Program

• Dates: Dates not publicly posted
• Location: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Washington, D.C.
• Cost: Paid internship; specific stipend details not disclosed

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) Pathways Summer Internship Program gives students hands-on experience in a federal agency that supervises national banks. Interns work on projects that support OCC operations and gain exposure to careers in finance, technology, and public service.

Pathways internships are available in three main business areas:

• Financial management
• Human capital
• Information technology

To apply, students must be at least 16 years old and enrolled full-time or half-time in a qualifying educational institution, including programs leading to a high school diploma. Applicants must also be in good academic standing and actively seeking a degree or diploma.

Application requirements include a resume and an unofficial transcript or proof of enrollment on school letterhead. Students who accept an internship must provide an official transcript before their appointment.

11. NYC Office of the Mayor Internship Program

• Dates: October–April (Fall/Spring Term); June–August (Summer Term)
• Location: New York City, New York
• Cost: Paid internship; high school students earn $16.50/hour

The NYC Office of the Mayor Internship Program is one of the top government internships for high school students living in New York City. It involves three structured components:

• Work Assignment. Interns apply to a specific mayoral unit and stay with that team for the duration of the program. They work on research, briefing preparation, data review, event support, and special projects that reflect the office’s priorities.
• Government Engagement. Every two weeks, interns attend speaker sessions at City Hall featuring Deputy Mayors, Commissioners, and senior staff. These sessions help you understand how city government functions and how major decisions are coordinated.
• Service Project. With guidance from NYC Service, interns design a group community project that supports local neighborhoods. Previous projects have included park cleanups, beach cleanups, tree planting, and recreation field restoration.

More than 35 mayoral units participate in the program, and students may apply to the office that best matches their interests. Some participating units include:

• Center for Innovation Through Data Intelligence (CIDI)
• Chief Counsel to the Mayor
• Deputy Mayor for Operations
• Gracie Mansion
• Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
• Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health
• NYC Service
• Office of Climate and Environmental Justice
• Press Office

This internship gives students a realistic look at public service, city operations, and policy work while paying a competitive hourly wage.

12. Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program (TMSLIP)

• Dates: April 2–16, 2025 (Virtual Workshops); June 18, 2025 (Kick-Off Ceremony & Networking Event); July 16, 2025 (Alternative Careers in the Law Panel); August 28, 2025 (Closing Ceremony)
• Location: New York City, New York
• Cost: Paid internship; specific stipend details not disclosed

The Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program (TMSLIP) gives New York City public high school students the chance to work in legal workplaces while receiving structured career preparation. Students are matched with law firms, corporations, nonprofits, or government agencies for a six- to eight-week paid summer internship.

The program is part of the NYC Bar Association’s effort to strengthen the pipeline of young people entering the legal profession.

The law internship runs from spring through late summer, and intern responsibilities differ by employer. However, common assignments include assisting paralegals, organizing documents, handling filing and records, supporting library or office staff, and completing data-entry tasks.

TMSLIP uses a selective application process that includes interviews and a review of academic performance.

13. Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Program

• Dates: Dates vary by location
• Location: Various federally managed lands
• Cost: Paid internship; specific stipend details not disclosed

The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Summer Program is a paid opportunity for high school students interested in environmental work. Interns serve on federally managed lands and learn basic conservation, land management, and fieldwork skills while completing outdoor projects.

Participants work full-time for eight weeks and receive training in habitat restoration, trail maintenance, and light construction used for boardwalks or bridges. The program also builds practical skills such as communication and working safely in a field environment.

Common assignments include trail improvements, soil stabilization near waterways, building boardwalks and fencing, and removing invasive plants to support native habitats. Students must be at least 15 at the start of the program and 18 or younger on the final day, and must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Applications for the next summer session will reopen in Spring 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is considered the most prestigious government internship for high school students?

Programs like the U.S. Senate Page Program, NASA OSTEM Internships, and the NIH High School Summer Internship Program are often considered the most prestigious options for high school students. They stand out for their selective admissions and the responsibility students take on while working with federal agencies.

2. Do these programs require previous government or policy knowledge?

No. Most programs don’t expect prior government or policy experience. They look for strong academic habits, reliability, and interest in public service or STEM fields, depending on the internship.

3. Are there virtual government internship options available in 2025?

Yes, a few agencies may offer virtual components depending on their needs and funding. However, most high school government internships have returned to fully in-person formats. Students should check each program’s website for updates.

4. How competitive are government internships for high school students?

Top federal programs are highly competitive, especially internships at the Senate, NASA, NIH, and major agencies. Other programs are more accessible but still require a strong application, clear interest, and solid recommendations.

5. Can a government internship improve my college application?

Yes. Government internships show that you can handle real responsibility, contribute to meaningful work, and engage with public service or STEM fields. Colleges view these experiences as strong evidence of initiative, maturity, and academic direction.

Takeaways

• Government internships for high school students give you practical experience in areas like policy, research, STEM, law, and public administration while helping you build stronger academic and workplace skills.
• Programs such as the U.S. Senate Page Program, NIH SIP, and NASA OSTEM internships stand out for their selective admissions and hands-on training.
• Getting involved in the right program and taking your responsibilities seriously can help you develop useful skills, build professional connections, and gain experience that supports future college and career goals.
• If you need help selecting programs that fit your interests or preparing competitive applications, consider working with an admissions consultant for personalized guidance.