15 Best Free Summer Programs for High School Students
We know that cost can be a barrier to summer programs. That’s why we've compiled a list of some free summer programs for high school students (some even provide a stipend!). Programs range from highly selective to less selective and range from STEM programs to the humanities.
TLDR;
Free summer programs for high school students from Ivy Leagues and other top colleges
In-person and online options
Programs in STEM, Media, Leadership, Cybersecurity and more
Opportunities for students from all over the world
Receive stipends and other benefits
Looking for something else? Here are some of our other blogs with other opportunities available for high school students! 15 Virtual Research Opportunities for High School Students, and 15 Research Volunteer Opportunities for High School Students in 2022.
If you’d like 1: 1 mentorship from the brightest PhDs in the world, consider applying to our research program - Lumiere! We have full financial aid from low-income backgrounds!
15 Best Free Summer Programs
Subject areas:Â Multidisciplinary
Location:Â Virtual
Application deadline:Â January - May
Program dates: 12 weeks, June - August
Program selectivity:Â High
Eligibility: This program is open to all high school students. (US. and International)
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is a 1-1 research opportunity run by the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation. In our flagship program, we pair talented high-school students with world-class PhD mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll learn about the cutting edge of your field and develop an independent research paper. This virtual program stands out as a top free summer program for high school students, providing mentorship and research experience in a flexible online format.
Subject areas: Leadership, Democracy and Service
Location: Cornell University, University of Maryland, and University of Michigan
Application deadline: January 4.
Program dates: 6 weeks, June 25 – August 5
Program selectivity: High
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from all backgrounds; focused on providing this opportunity for students of color and/or of disadvantaged backgrounds
TASS offers two free summer programs for high school students, including TASS-CBS (Critical Black Studies) and TASS-AOS (Anti-Oppressive Studies). The program is hosted at multiple universities and aims to prepare young minds to become critical thinkers, leaders and contributors of society and the larger world. If you’re interested in history, literature, politics, and art from people of African descent, do check out this program!
3. MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI)
Subject areas: STEM
Location:Â Â Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA)
Stipend: The program provides a $500 stipend
There is a $40 application fee with a need-based refund
Application deadline:Â December 2
Program dates: June - August            Â
Program selectivity: Extremely High (<5%)
Eligibility:Â High School Juniors only (U.S. and International)
RSI is a 6-week, highly selective free summer program for high school students in STEM. This program is hosted at MIT and accepts about 80 students each year. Here, students work with a Boston-based researcher on an independent project and present their research to the broader community in a conference style at the end of the program. In 2019, there were about 1600 applicants for 80 spots or around a 5% acceptance rate for the program. Students should have extensive research experience to be competitive for this program. International students will need to check on their specific country eligibility!
Subject areas: Cyber Security
Location:Â New York University (Manhattan, NY)
Application deadline:Â April 13
Program dates:Â 3 weeks, July 11 - July 29
Program selectivity:Â Medium
Eligibility: Applicants must be entering or in high school as of September. Living in one of the five New York City boroughs or smaller neighbouring cities such as Jersey City, Newark, or Hempstead. Should have demonstrated interest/are highly motivated in STEM as shown in essays and application. The program is open to all students, but historically they have taken primarily female-identifying students in the program.
This 3-week full-day free summer program for high school students provides an introduction on the fundamentals of cybersecurity and computer science. The aim of this program is to educate and empower a new generation of engineers in an inclusive environment that breaks down barriers that have historically led to the underrepresentation of women and minorities in STEM.
Subject areas: Journalism
Location: Online
Application deadline: February 23
Program dates: 6 weeks, June 26 - August 4
Program selectivity: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Applicants must be high-achieving juniors from high school, and from low-income backgrounds
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) stands out as one of the top free summer programs for high school students interested in journalism. The program offers a mix of virtual and residential opportunities including weekly lectures and workshops taught by program alumni and journalists from The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, New York Magazine, The Daily Beast, Politico, Sports Illustrated, and CNN, among other media outlets. As one of the best free summer programs for high school students, PSJP offers invaluable experience in a world-class setting.
Students also participate in weekly discussion groups, covering a variety of topics, and attend seminars about the college admissions process.
6. Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Subject areas: STEM
Location: Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA)
Application deadline: March 15
Program dates: 5 weeks, July 1- August 5
Program selectivity: High
Eligibility: Applicants must be sophomores or juniors from high school, and from underrepresented communities
This program by Carnegie Mellon University is one of the free summer programs for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds who want to earn college credit while "developing mastery of fundamental ideas in higher-level collegiate math and science." Classroom training, hands-on research projects, and professional and academic development courses are all part of SAMS. Students engage in a rigorous curriculum taught by Carnegie Mellon University faculty.
Subject areas: Biology, chemistry, medicine
Location: Stanford University campus (Stanford, CA)
Stipend: The program provides a $500 stipend.
There is a Fee: $40 application fee with a need-based refund. Application deadline: Tentatively December 15
Program dates: 8 weeks, 13 June - August 4
Program selectivity: High
Eligibility: High School Juniors and Seniors. At least 16 years old when the program begins. Living in the U.S. and U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a green card.
During this program, students collaborate with Stanford faculty and researchers to conduct medical research as part of one of the best free summer programs for high school students. Students select one of eight study fields and are then allocated to a lab where they will be mentored one-on-one.
Subject areas: Media and Communication
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles
Application deadline: November 27
Program dates: 4 weeks, June 19 - July 14
Program selectivity: Medium
Eligibility: Students must reside and attend high school in Los Angeles County
This program offers high school students an insight into freshman-level college courses in media and journalism as one of the top free summer programs for high school students. Additionally, they provide college advising and college essay preparation to all students. Each year, 28 students are selected from various parts of Los Angeles County to attend.
Subject areas: Global health
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: April
Program dates: 1-3 weeks, typically, in July but may vary depending on the program.
Program selectivity: High
Eligibility: This program is open to all high school students (US. and International)
This free summer program for high school students allows students can become familiar with research and gain hands-on experience, as well as increase their knowledge of global health. They will also participate in workshops on college readiness and career exploration. The program has both online and in-person components.
10. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Subject areas: Multidisciplinary
Location: Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)
Stipend: The program provides a $750 stipend
Application deadline: February 13
Program dates: 6 weeks, June 18 - August 3
Program selectivity: High
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 17 years of age by the program start date, and should graduate in this or next year (U.S. and International)
The Clark Scholars Program is one of the free summer programs for high school students that lasts 6-week long comprehensive research program, giving students the opportunity to conduct research in practically every field, from accounting to dance to philosophy and everything in between. One-on-one research with academics, as well as weekly seminars, discussions, and field visits, are all part of the curriculum. With just 12 students selected each year, the Clark Scholars Program is very competitive. Applicants must be 17+ by the program start date. The program offers a stipend of $750. The application for this year closes on February 16th.
Subject areas: Multidisciplinary
Location: New York University Campus. Some courses are available virtually
Application deadline: April
Program dates: Typically, in July but may vary depending on the program
Program selectivity: Open enrollment
Eligibility: This program is open to all high school students.
NYU’s High School Program includes some of the best free summer programs for high school students ranging from 1-12 weeks and span an array of subject areas. The programs offer immersive academic experiences for high school students to understand fundamental concepts and strengthen their research skills through such learning.
Subject areas: STEM
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: January 13
Program dates: 2 weeks, typically, in July but may vary depending on the program
Program selectivity: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Applicants must be high-achieving juniors from high school, and from low-income backgrounds
USC’s Bovard Scholar Program is one of the free summer programs for high school students designed for those seeking a program that helps your transition from school to college, this program is for you. This program will be beneficial for students who are seeking an insight into college life and receive mentorship from coaches who will guide you through your college admissions process.
13. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)’s Recruitment & Training for Under-Represented Populations (RTURP) Program
Subject areas: STEM
Location: Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus (Baltimore, MD)
Application deadline: March 1
Program dates: Typically, in July but may vary depending on the program.
Program selectivity: High
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 17 years old and high school or college students
The Recruitment & Training Program for Under-represented Populations is one of the premier free summer programs for high school students who are interested in the scientific basis of drug abuse. The program prioritizes students from under-represented communities, who attend classes and learn research practice as part of the Intramural Research Program (IRP).
Subject areas: STEM
Location: UC Irvine campus (Irvine, CA)
Deadline to apply: March
Program dates: June - July
Program selectivity: Moderate
Eligibility: Released with the new application
Math ExpLR is one of the best free summer programs for high school students focused on mathematical biology. In this program, students will be paired with undergraduates and collaborate on a computational biology research project with a principal investigator. There will also be weekly skill development events, such as how to deliver presentations or how to write math on the computer.
Subject areas: STEM
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: April
Program dates: 2 weeks, typically, in July but may vary depending on the program
Program selectivity: Open enrollment
Eligibility: This program is open to all female and non-binary high school students
Girls Who Code’s mission is a fantastic option among the free summer programs for high school students, aiming to bridge the gender gap within the field of technology. This program will offer students learning experiences that combine hands-on projects and networking opportunities with women in tech. While they admit students from all backgrounds, half of their participants are from underrepresented groups. This includes girls, women and non-binary folks who are Black, LatinX, and from low-income households.
One other option – Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you are interested in a selective, structured research program, consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, an online high school program for students founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers. The program pairs you with a full-time researcher to develop your own independent research project, in any discipline of your choice. Last year over 4000 students applied to 500 slots in the research program! You can find the application form here.
Are you seeking more diversity of programs and options? Read some of our blogs to learn more about opportunities like 15 Writing Competitions for High School Students and other location specific programs like 15 Summer Research Opportunities in India for High School Students.
Dhvani (the-one-e) is a program manager at Lumiere, in addition to being a dialogue facilitator, entrepreneur and boxer. She has a passion for all things education, community building and problem solving.