13 Finance Internships for High School Students in Pittsburgh, PA
Finance internships give high school students a chance to see how money, markets, and businesses work outside the classroom. Through an internship, you might help analyze financial data, assist with budgeting, research investment opportunities, or sit in on client meetings. You’ll build skills in financial modeling, data interpretation, and professional communication. That kind of experience strengthens college applications by demonstrating initiative and a deep interest in finance.
What finance internships are available for high school students in Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh is a good place to find finance internships for high school students. The city has a mix of financial institutions and fintech companies, so you can get exposure to both traditional banking and technology-driven finance. Major players like PNC Financial Services, F.N.B. Corporation, and Federated Hermes are based here, and the city has a connection to the Federal Reserve through the Cleveland Fed's Pittsburgh office.
We put together a list of 13 finance internships for high school students in Pittsburgh to help you compare options and find what fits your goals.
1. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Multiple PA locations, including Pittsburgh
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~300 students across 100 communities
Dates: Early June – mid/late August, inclusive of one week Student Leaders Summit in Washington D.C.
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors; legally authorized to work in the U.S.; permanently reside in an eligible program location, and are first-time participants
This program focuses more on leadership and economic impact than traditional office finance work, involving you spending most of the summer working with a local nonprofit, learning how funding, budgeting, and community economics connect. The program also includes structured leadership training and reflection exercises. A major highlight is the national summit in Washington, D.C., where you meet peers from across the country. While you may not be building financial models, you gain a strong understanding of how finance intersects with public policy and social change. This is a good fit if you are interested in finance with a civic or social-impact angle.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long. Apply now!
3. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania High School Internship
Location: State agencies across PA, including Pittsburgh
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not specified (varies by agency)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 1 – June 30
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old on the first day of the internship
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania High School Internship (HSI) is a formal work-based learning program designed to give students professional experience within state government agencies. It places you within state government agencies working on administrative and financial tasks, where you may assist with budgeting, procurement, or financial reporting, depending on your placement. The program offers flexible scheduling that can fit around school commitments. You receive supervision and mentorship from agency staff, and the experience helps you understand how public-sector finance operates. This is a good option if you are curious about government finance or public administration.
4. Neighborhood Learning Alliance – Summer High School U (HSU)
Location: Various worksites across Pittsburgh and Allegheny County (including local businesses and startups)
Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: 8 weeks between mid-June and early August
Application Deadline: Early May
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th-grade students between ages 14–18 who are residents of Pittsburgh or Allegheny County and meet low-income requirements
The Neighborhood Learning Alliance’s Summer High School U (HSU) program enables you to jumpstart your finance career, specifically by focusing on the Business and Entrepreneurship pathway. You will explore key topics such as starting a business, supervision, and corporate leadership while earning free, transferable college credits from local universities. Throughout the summer, you will shadow local business owners, attend career workshops, visit corporate sites, and complete college coursework. A unique feature of this program is the paid work experience, which allows you to earn an hourly wage while building your professional resume. This immersive experience ensures you are well-prepared for a business major or immediate entry into the workforce.
5. Range Resources SMART Start High School Internship Program
Location: Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh/Washington area)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; small, selective cohort sizes
Dates: Summer-focused with potential for continuation (typically 8–10 weeks)
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: Rising 11th or 12th grade high school students in the Pittsburgh area for the current school year; 16+; GPA 3.0+
The Student Mentoring and Range Training (SMART) Start program is a professional development and internship initiative designed for high school students in the Pittsburgh area. The program provides students with exposure to the natural gas industry through departments like Finance, Engineering, and Human Resources. You will engage in core activities like managing production scheduling, updating forecasting models, and supporting trading functions alongside experts. You also attend internal events focused on career preparation and networking. The experience emphasizes real workplace exposure rather than classroom learning and is useful if you want industry-specific finance experience.
6. Pittsburgh Public Schools – CTE Finance Technology Internship
Location: Pittsburgh Carrick High School (Students from other PPS schools may transfer for the half-day program)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Rate not specified; approximately 25 new students per year
Dates: Academic year (August–June); usually a 3-year commitment starting in 10th grade
Application Deadline: Mid-March
Eligibility: PPS residents entering 10th or 11th grade; must maintain a 2.0 GPA for internship/Co-Op eligibility
In the Pittsburgh Public Schools CTE Finance Technology internship, you will learn professional accounting principles using both manual and computerized systems. You’ll explore core topics like business law, ethics, and office procedures while recording transactions, balancing ledger accounts, preparing financial statements, and completing tax reports. The program provides an opportunity to earn Microsoft Office Specialist certifications and college credits through statewide articulation agreements. Through these practical activities, you will build technical skills in data capturing and financial reporting while preparing for the NOCTI assessment. Ultimately, you’ll gain the expertise needed for immediate employment or a major head start on your college degree.
7. Partner4Work Learn & Earn Internship Program
Location: Allegheny County and/or City of Pittsburgh
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate varies as per placement
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Rate not specified; approximately 1,500–2,000
Dates: Tier 1 & 2: June 23 – August 23; Tier 3: June 2 – August 31
Application Deadline: June 6
Eligibility: Students aged 14–24; low-income; county or city resident
In the Learn & Earn program, you’ll dive into the world of finance by learning about banking, credit, insurance, and personal budgeting. You will spend your summer performing tasks like opening savings accounts, attending networking mixers, and practicing your pitch in mock interviews. What makes this program unique is that you get paid while earning industry certifications and building a professional network of corporate mentors. You’ll walk away with sharp skills, including better communication, workplace etiquette, and savvy financial planning. This internship transforms your understanding of money, giving you a head start on your career before you even graduate high school.
8. PNC Bank – Partner UP Program
Location: PNC Bank, Pittsburgh, PA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by year
Dates: Academic year (conducted during the senior year of high school)
Application Deadline: Typically, in the Fall Semester
Eligibility: High school seniors in participating Pittsburgh/Allegheny County schools
In the PNC Bank Partner UP program, you delve into essential financial concepts, such as budgeting, credit management, and strategic saving, to build a secure future. You will create mock financial plans, participate in professional mentorship sessions, and practice banking simulations. You will directly connect with PNC industry experts and get an insider's view of the corporate banking world that most students lack. By completing the curriculum, you sharpen your analytical thinking and gain the practical literacy needed to navigate complex financial landscapes confidently. Ultimately, the program empowers you with the leadership and decision-making skills necessary for both collegiate success and long-term career growth in finance.
9. BNY Early College Program
Location: CCAC Allegheny Campus, Pittsburgh, PA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 400 students
Dates: Starts with a summer seminar (June/July); follows the CCAC academic calendar
Application Deadline: Early to mid-April (rolling until filled)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 11–12 residing in Allegheny County
The BNY Early College Program combines college-level coursework with career exposure in business and finance. In this program, you attend classes at the Community College of Allegheny County and work through applied business problems. The curriculum focuses on communication, teamwork, and professional habits alongside financial concepts. You also hear directly from guest speakers working at BNY Mellon and related industries. The program is structured more like an academic bridge than a traditional internship, and is especially useful if you want early college exposure tied to finance and business careers.
10. Point Park University – Accelerated Career Awareness Program
Location: Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: $25 registration fee / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 22–25 students annually
Dates: July 26–31
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Residential high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors
The Accelerated Career Awareness Program (ACAP) at Point Park University is a premier residency program designed to introduce underrepresented high school students to careers in accounting, finance, and business management. It introduces you to accounting, finance, and economics through classes led by university faculty and industry professionals. The program includes firm visits, guest speakers, and team-based case studies, and you also receive college-prep support related to financial literacy and scholarships. The week ends with group presentations that help build confidence. This program is a structured introduction rather than a traditional internship.
11. Point Park University – Point SPARK Entrepreneurship
Location: Point Park University campus (Downtown Pittsburgh, PA)
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Rate not specified; limited cohort sizes
Dates: June 29 – July 1
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12 in the fall
The Point SPARK program at Point Park University is a three-day intensive designed to help you navigate the financial and strategic landscape of starting a business. You will dive into essential topics like financial planning, budgeting for startups, and the mechanics of pitching social ventures. During the camp, you will participate in workshops on product design, engage in financial advising sessions to plan for college, and collaborate with mentors to build a professional business pitch. By the time you finish, you will have gained practical skills in financial modeling, public speaking, and data-driven decision-making. These tools will empower you to transform a creative idea into a fiscally sound venture.
12. Morgan Stanley Finance Academy
Location: Virtual
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 160 students per cycle
Dates: October – March
Application Deadline: Typically mid-September
Eligibility: High school seniors
The Morgan Stanley Finance Academy is a nationally recognized virtual program designed to introduce high-achieving high school seniors to finance through a five-month virtual curriculum. It introduces you to core concepts in finance and investment banking through workshops and guided activities. The program includes shadowing-style exposure, professional panels, and networking opportunities, and you also learn about different career paths within large financial institutions. While it is not based in Pittsburgh physically, it is still accessible to students in the area. For students looking for brand strength on their resume, this is an excellent opportunity.
13. Invest in Girls – Financial Foundations
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: Various cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students identifying as girls
In this program, you will build a strong financial foundation by learning concepts like budgeting, taxes, credit management, and the fundamentals of investing in the stock market. You’ll engage in activities such as simulating portfolio management, analyzing financial news, and participating in workshops led by industry professionals. The program provides access to female mentors and exclusive site visits to major financial firms, offering you a rare behind-the-scenes look at the industry. Through this immersive curriculum, you will learn how to navigate complex economic systems. Ultimately, you'll walk away with the confidence to manage your personal wealth and a clear understanding of potential career paths in finance.