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 the best free summer programs for high school students (some even provide a stipend!). These programs range from highly selective to less selective and 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 opportunities for high school students! 15 Virtual Research Opportunities for High School Students and 15 Research Volunteer Opportunities for High School Students. You can also learn more about opportunities like 15 Writing Competitions for High School Students and location-specific programs like 15 Summer Research Opportunities in India for High School Students.
If you’d like 1: 1 mentorship from the brightest PhDs in the world, consider applying to our research program - the Lumiere Research Scholar Program! We have full financial aid for students 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, especially students of color and/or of disadvantaged backgrounds
TASS offers two free summer programs for high school students: TASS-CBS (Critical Black Studies) and TASS-AOS (Anti-Oppressive Studies). The program is hosted at multiple universities and aims to prepare students to become critical thinkers, leaders, and contributors to 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 waiver
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 researcher on an independent project and present their research to the broader community 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 some research experience to be competitive for this program. International students will need to check on their specific country's 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 enter or be in high school in September and live in one of the five New York City boroughs or smaller neighbouring cities such as Jersey City, Newark, or Hempstead. The program is open to all students, but historically, they have accepted primarily female-identifying students.
This 3-week summer program for high school students provides an introduction to 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 dismantles 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: High
Eligibility: Applicants must be high-achieving juniors in high school from low-income backgrounds
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program 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. You will also participate in weekly discussion groups covering various 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 in high school from underrepresented communities
This is a free summer program 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, research projects, and professional and academic development courses are all part of SAMS. You will 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 $40 application fee with a need-based waiver.
Application deadline: December 15
Program dates: 8 weeks, June 13 - August 4
Program selectivity: High
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who will be at least 16 years old when the program begins, are living in the U.S., and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a green card.
During this program, you will collaborate with Stanford faculty and researchers to conduct medical research. SIMR is one of the best free summer programs for high school students. You will select one of eight fields and then be allocated to a lab to 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 insight into freshman-level college courses in media and journalism. It is 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 from various parts of Los Angeles County are selected to attend.
Subject areas: Global health
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: April
Program dates: Typically 1-3 weeks in July, but varies 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 you to become familiar with research and gain experience as well as increase your knowledge of global health. You 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 the next year (U.S. and International)
The Clark Scholars Program is a 6-week comprehensive research program that allows you to conduct research in various fields. One-on-one research with academics, weekly seminars, discussions, and field visits are 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, and the application 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 varies depending on the program
Program selectivity: Open enrollment
Eligibility: This program is open to all high school students.
NYU’s High School Program offers some of the best free summer programs for high school students ranging from 1-12 weeks and spanning an array of subject areas. The programs offer enriching academic experiences for high school students. They allow you to understand fundamental concepts and strengthen your research skills.
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 in high school from low-income backgrounds
USC’s Bovard Scholar Program is designed for those looking for a program that helps you transition from school to college. This program will benefit students seeking insight into college life and mentorship from coaches who will guide them through the 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 a premier free summer program for high school students interested in the scientific basis of drug abuse. The program prioritizes students from underrepresented communities. As a participant, you will 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, you 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 and 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 is a fantastic option among the free summer programs for high school students. The program aims to bridge the gender gap in the field of technology. This program offers you 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.
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.