15 Finance Internships in New York for High School Students
Finance internships can give you an early look at how money, markets, and business decisions work outside the classroom while helping you build experience that stands out on a resume. For a high school student, that can mean developing practical skills in communication, research, financial analysis, teamwork, and professional etiquette. If you’re already curious about investing, banking, accounting, entrepreneurship, or corporate strategy, an internship can help you test that interest in a real setting and understand what finance work actually looks like day-to-day.
If you want to see what other finance internships are available, find a list of summer-specific internships here & paid internships here.
Why should I do a finance internship in high school in New York?
New York is an especially strong place to explore these opportunities because of its concentration of financial firms, business organizations, startups, and career-focused youth programs. That kind of hands-on exposure can strengthen your college applications as it demonstrates clear academic interest, career motivation, and a willingness to pursue serious opportunities before college. It can also help you build professional confidence early, giving you stronger talking points for essays, interviews, and future applications.
We’ve put together 15 finance internships in New York for high school students that are designed around real projects and measurable learning outcomes.
1. Futures and Options Internship Program
Location: Multiple locations across NYC with hybrid/remote options available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies based on internship host; Competitive
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 6 weeks in July–August, 20–30 hours per week
Application Deadline: Varies by year; recent summer deadlines have fallen in January or February
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors attending a NYC high school; should be between 16 – 19; Must be eligible to work in the U.S.; those under 18 should have a valid working card
Futures and Options places you in a paid internship after a structured preparation phase that helps you understand workplace expectations and professional norms. Depending on your placement, you may work with teams in finance, business operations, or nonprofit management, observing how decisions are made and how projects are executed. Alongside your internship, you’ll attend weekly workshops that focus on communication, financial literacy, resume building, and interview skills. This finance internship in New York for high school students also includes ongoing support from coordinators who help you navigate challenges and reflect on your experience. Some placements incorporate employer-led sessions or site visits that deepen your understanding of different career paths.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships connects you with a startup team where you contribute to projects that often involve financial analysis, market research, or business strategy. Your work may include tracking key metrics, evaluating competitors, or supporting operational decisions that influence company growth. Throughout the internship, you receive guidance from both your manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach who helps refine your approach to problem-solving and communication. You also build professional skills such as time management and stakeholder communication through targeted training sessions. The experience concludes with a formal presentation of your work.
3. CLA High School Internship Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Stipend: $18 – $20 per hour
Dates: Mid-June to August
Application Deadline: Typically early January
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are between the ages of 16-18
CLA’s High School Internship Program places you in a professional services firm where you’ll observe how financial data supports business decisions. You may assist with tasks related to audit, tax, or consulting while participating in case-based exercises that reflect real client scenarios. The experience exposes you to multiple service lines, helping you understand how different teams collaborate within a firm. You will also spend time shadowing professionals, gaining insight into client interactions and project workflows. Mentorship plays a key role in this finance internship in New York for high school students, guiding you through both technical concepts and workplace expectations.
4. Morgan Stanley Internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Location: HQ of Morgan Stanley, NYC
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Varies based on location
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors with strong academics, interest in finance, and authorized to work in the U.S
This finance internship in New York for high school students places you within teams at Morgan Stanley, where you’ll engage with projects tied to finance, operations, or risk management. You’ll also get to assist with tasks like data analysis, support ongoing initiatives, or observe how financial strategies are developed and implemented. The program includes mentorship from professionals who help you understand both technical concepts and day-to-day responsibilities in the firm. Workshops and networking sessions introduce you to different roles within investment banking and related fields. You’ll also gain exposure to how large financial institutions coordinate across departments to meet business objectives. The experience typically ends with a presentation or discussion of your work, helping you articulate what you’ve learned in a professional setting.
5. Genesys Works
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Stipend: $10,000–$13,000 during senior year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 8 weeks of summer training between the junior and senior year
Application Deadline: Varies by location (February/March)
Eligibility: Juniors in high school who are on track to graduate, can work in the U.S., and can have an adjusted school schedule in their senior year
Genesys Works begins with an intensive training phase where you build a foundation in business communication, workplace technology, and professional conduct. After completing training, you are placed in a paid internship with a corporate partner, where your responsibilities may include supporting finance teams, managing data, or assisting with project coordination. The extended duration allows you to develop consistency and take on more responsibility over time. You’ll continue receiving coaching throughout the internship, which helps you connect your work experience to long-term academic and career goals. The program also includes college-readiness support, such as guidance on applications and financial aid.
6. Ladders for Leaders
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Location: New York City
Stipend: At least $16.50/hour
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: Rising high school senior or college student between the ages of 16 and 24, legally able to work in the U.S., and has prior paid or volunteer work experience
Ladders for Leaders begins with a required training phase that prepares you for workplace expectations, including resume writing, interviewing, and professional communication. After training, you are matched with an employer where you’ll contribute to projects across business, finance, nonprofit, or government settings. Your role may involve supporting team operations, assisting with research, or helping manage ongoing initiatives. Throughout the internship, you will interact with professionals and gain insight into how organizations function on a day-to-day basis. The program also puts focus on networking, giving you access to industry connections and alumni resources.
7. Brooklyn Navy Yard Internship Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Spring, summer, and fall sessions (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: College-bound high school seniors and college-attending students; international students welcome
This paid internship in New York for high school students places you within one of the many businesses operating at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where you’ll gain exposure to real workplace environments. Depending on your placement, you may work on tasks related to finance, operations, or project coordination while contributing to ongoing company activities. The setting allows you to observe how different departments collaborate and how businesses manage daily operations. You’ll also interact with professionals across industries, which helps broaden your understanding of career possibilities. The program is centered on hands-on involvement, so you are actively engaged and not just observing from the sidelines. Over the course of the internship, you’ll also build practical skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
8. Apprenticeship USA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective
Location: U.S-wide placements
Stipend: Typically paid
Dates: Varies
Application deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High school students (specific eligibility may apply)
ApprenticeshipUSA serves as a national platform where you can find structured, paid opportunities that combine work with formal training. In finance-related roles, you may assist with tasks such as processing transactions, supporting bookkeeping, or handling documentation tied to compliance and reporting. Unlike traditional internships, apprenticeships position you as an employee while you learn, with responsibilities increasing as you gain experience. Each opportunity includes a training component that builds specific skills tied to the role. The platform allows you to explore a range of positions across banking, insurance, accounting, and business operations.
9. Bossgirls Summer Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Location: City College of New York (CCNY), NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 29 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Current high school girls and nonbinary students (grades 9-12) who are residents of the NY tri-state region
The Bossgirls Summer Program introduces you to entrepreneurship through a focus on financial planning and business development. You’ll work in teams to identify a problem, design a solution, and build a business concept supported by a basic financial model. Sessions cover topics such as budgeting, pricing strategy, and revenue generation, helping you understand how financial decisions shape a venture. There will be mentors who will guide you through each stage, offering feedback on both your ideas and execution. The program also covers collaboration and communication as you refine your concept with peers. It concludes with a pitch presentation where you’ll present your business idea and financial plan to a panel.
10. Athena Summer Innovation Institute at Barnard College
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Barnard College, New York, NY
Cost: $8,160 commuter | $10,771 residential
Dates: June 29 – July 17
Application Deadline: Typically April
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors; international students welcome
At Athena, you’ll develop a venture from the ground up while learning how financial considerations influence business decisions. You will work in teams to conduct research, define a problem, and design a solution that could take the form of a startup or nonprofit. There will be workshops that will introduce you to topics such as budgeting, funding strategies, and negotiation, all within the context of building a viable idea. You will have mentors and instructors who will provide feedback throughout the process, helping you refine both your concept and your execution. The program also offers opportunities to practice pitching and storytelling, helping you improve your communication skills. The experience culminates in a final presentation where you showcase your project and its financial logic.
11. Wall Street Stock Market & Investment Experience (New York Institute of Finance)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Group size of up to 100 participants
Location: New York City, NY
Cost: Varies by program duration (1/2 weeks) and program type (residential/commuter)
Dates: 6 days: July 6 – July 11 and July 12 – July 17 | 12 days: July 6 – July 17
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12; International students welcome
This finance program in New York for high school students introduces you to core finance topics through sessions led by industry professionals with experience in capital markets and investment management. You’ll explore topics such as portfolio construction, private equity, fintech, and financial statement analysis while working through practical examples. There will be team-based challenges that require you to evaluate companies, design investment strategies, and defend your decisions. You’ll also engage with guest speakers and participate in guided activities that highlight how financial institutions operate. The program ends with project presentations that test your ability to communicate investment ideas clearly.
12. NSLC International Business & Finance Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Columbia University, NY
Cost: $4,495
Dates: June 12 – 20 | June 24 – July 2
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors ages 14–18
The NSLC International Business & Finance Program engages you in simulated global business scenarios where you’ll make financial and strategic decisions based on changing market conditions. You will analyze trade dynamics, evaluate investment opportunities, and consider how companies operate across borders. The curriculum introduces concepts such as valuation, supply chain design, and international finance through interactive exercises. You will also participate in leadership workshops that focus on communication, decision-making, and teamwork. Guest speakers and site visits provide additional context on how financial systems function in practice.
13. Columbia University Pre-College: Introduction to Corporate Finance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Online or in-person at Columbia University, NY
Cost: Varies by session and format (in-person/online)
Dates: June 22 to June 26
Application Deadline: Dates vary based on the selected course; Read here for more information
Eligibility: Current high school students (grades 9-12) interested in finance or business; international students welcome
In this course, you’ll examine how companies make financial decisions using tools commonly applied in corporate finance. You will work through concepts such as time value of money, discounted cash flow, and risk-return tradeoffs using case-based examples. The structure focuses on analytical thinking, encouraging you to evaluate investment opportunities and funding strategies. There will be discussions and problem-solving sessions to reinforce how these ideas apply in real business contexts. You’ll also gain familiarity with financial terminology and frameworks used in higher-level coursework.
14. Fordham University Summer Business Programs – Global Finance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Virtual or in-person at Fordham University, Rose Hill Campus, Bronx, NY
Cost: $1300
Dates: July 6–10
Application Deadline: Priority for applications received before April 1
Eligibility: High school students
This finance program in New York for high school students introduces you to how financial systems operate across countries, with a focus on global markets and investment flows. You’ll explore topics such as foreign exchange, international trade, and the financial management of multinational companies. The class sessions are structured around case discussions and real-world examples that highlight current economic trends. There will be guest speakers who will provide additional insight into how professionals navigate global finance environments. You’ll also analyze how policy decisions and market conditions influence financial outcomes.
15. Fordham University Summer Business Programs – Invest in Her: Financial Literacy and Leadership for Women
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Fordham University, Rose Hill Campus, Bronx, NY
Cost: $1300
Dates: July 13–17
Application Deadline: Priority for applications received before April 1
Eligibility: Female high school students interested in learning more about being a woman in business-related fields
The Invest in Her: Financial Literacy and Leadership for Women focuses on building your understanding of financial fundamentals while developing leadership and communication skills. You’ll explore topics such as financial statements, accounting principles, and market dynamics through interactive sessions and group activities. There will be collaborative exercises that require you to apply concepts in practical scenarios, strengthening both analytical and problem-solving abilities. Guest speakers share perspectives on navigating careers in finance and business, particularly from the standpoint of women in leadership roles. The program also emphasizes professional presence, helping you build confidence in formal settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Several programs on this list (Futures and Options, Genesys Works, Ladders for Leaders) begin with a structured training phase before the actual internship starts. Why is that so common, and is it worth the extra time commitment?
This training-first model is common across New York's nonprofit-run youth employment pipelines because it ensures every student enters their placement with the same baseline of workplace readiness, regardless of prior experience. Genesys Works has the most extensive version of this, with eight weeks of intensive training in business communication and workplace technology before you're placed with a corporate partner for your senior year, which is a significant time investment but one that results in a substantially higher stipend ($10,000 to $13,000) than most other programs on this list. The training is genuinely worth the time, since it directly shapes how confident and prepared you'll feel once you're actually working alongside finance professionals, and it often includes resume and interview skills you'll reuse for college applications.
2. Morgan Stanley is on this list, but the application deadline isn't specified and the description is fairly general. How competitive is this realistically, and what should I expect?
Morgan Stanley's high school program is among the most prestigious and competitive opportunities on this list, given its direct placement within one of the largest investment banks in the world, so you should expect a rigorous application process even though the specific deadline isn't published here. Strong academic performance and a genuine, demonstrable interest in finance, ideally backed by smaller-scale experiences like a few of the other programs on this list, will meaningfully strengthen your candidacy. Since deadlines and specifics tend to shift year to year for programs at this level, it's worth checking Morgan Stanley's official careers page directly closer to the application season rather than relying solely on secondhand information.
3. A few of these are short, fee-based university courses (Columbia, Fordham, NSLC) rather than internships with a host company. How should I weigh these against the actual paid internships on this list?
These university-run courses serve a different purpose: building structured, classroom-based finance knowledge in a short, intensive window, rather than giving you hands-on workplace experience inside a real company. Columbia's Introduction to Corporate Finance and Fordham's Global Finance program are excellent if you want to build a strong theoretical foundation in concepts like discounted cash flow and international markets before pursuing a more applied internship. The genuine internships, like Futures and Options, Morgan Stanley, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard program, give you real workplace exposure and often a stipend, which carries more weight if your goal is demonstrating hands-on initiative. Many students benefit from pairing one short academic course with one longer, paid internship across different summers to build both depth of knowledge and practical experience.
Key Takeaways
This list covers 16 finance internships and programs in New York for high school students, ranging from genuine corporate placements at Morgan Stanley and CLA to structured, training-first nonprofit pipelines like Genesys Works and Futures and Options, alongside fee-based university pre-college courses at Columbia, Fordham, and NSLC that build finance knowledge through classroom instruction rather than hands-on placement. Genesys Works stands out for its unusually high compensation ($10,000 to $13,000 across senior year), reflecting its extended, multi-phase structure, while most other paid programs offer hourly wages in the $16.50 to $20 range. For students who want a fully remote alternative without needing to be based in New York specifically, Ladder Internships is the only virtual option on this list, connecting students with startup teams on real financial analysis and business strategy projects.