13 Free College Programs for High School Students

If you want to understand what studying at university is like, college programs can give you that exposure while you’re still in high school. These programs let you take advanced classes, work on projects, and learn in academic settings that are closer to college than a typical high school course. Many combine classroom instruction with practical work, helping you see how subjects are taught at a higher level.

Why should I participate in a free college program in high school?

Free college programs allow you to access advanced learning without cost, allowing you to explore a range of fields without any financial burden. Because these programs are fully funded, they are typically more selective and admit a limited number of students. Being accepted can strengthen your college applications by showing academic readiness and the ability to succeed in a rigorous academic environment.

Here are 13 free college programs for high school students!

1. MITES Summer (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Cohort Size: 80–100 students
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free; fully funded
Dates: Late June – Early August (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (U.S. citizens or permanent residents)

MITES Summer is a free program for high school students to get a taste of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)’s STEM culture through challenging college-level courses. You’ll take classes in physics, biology, and engineering taught by faculty while collaborating on research projects. Beyond the academics, you’ll gain exposure to the academic discipline, teamwork, and problem-solving culture that defines top-tier engineering schools. Lab sessions and design workshops turn complex theory into practical experience, helping you to think and create like an engineer. The program also offers mentorship and admissions guidance for future STEM pathways. 

2. Research Science Institute (RSI, hosted at MIT by CEE)

Cohort Size: 100 students
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free; fully funded
Dates: July – August (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: December 13
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (U.S. and international)

Research Science Institute (RSI) brings together advanced STEM learning and real-world research experience. Students participating in this free college program for high school students begin with a week of advanced STEM seminars and go on to work on mentored research projects in MIT labs. You’ll produce a publication-style paper under faculty supervision, supported by weekly peer review sessions that help refine your writing and analytical thinking skills. The program ends with a formal symposium where you present your findings. 

3. Carnegie Mellon University – Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)

Cohort Size: 80 students
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free; fully funded
Dates: June 22 – August 3 (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors from underrepresented backgrounds

The Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) helps high school students experience university-level STEM learning while earning college credit. You’ll take structured courses in mathematics, physics, and computer science under the guidance of Carnegie Mellon faculty. The program combines coursework with applied research projects, helping the students strengthen both technical skills and academic confidence. Mentorship and leadership workshops support personal growth and prepare students for future college life. The program concludes with a final presentation, where you share your project and reflect on what you have learned.

4. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free; stipend ($500–$2,500)
Dates: June – August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors aged 16+
Cohort Size: 50 students

Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR) Program places high school students in biomedical research labs under the mentorship of Stanford faculty. You’ll work on projects in genetics, neuroscience, and bioengineering while attending seminars on research ethics and data analysis. Working alongside Stanford researchers helps students understand how laboratory science connects to clinical medicine. Daily lab sessions strengthen both technical and analytical skills. The program ends with a poster presentation for other students and mentors. 

5. Princeton University – Laboratory Learning Program (LLP)

Cohort Size: 40 students
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free (no tuition)
Dates: 5–6 weeks (summer)
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: U.S. high school students aged 16+

The Laboratory Learning Program (LLP) at Princeton University gives high school students an opportunity to join the university’s research labs in physics, chemistry, and biology. You’ll assist with ongoing faculty research through lab experiments, coding tasks, and weekly meetings with mentors. You’ll learn scientific reasoning beyond classroom theory by contributing directly to real university research, while also strengthening your academic writing and data presentation skills. The program concludes with a short research report, summarising your findings.

6. Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)

Cohort Size: 40 students
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free; fully funded
Dates: July – August (5 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors from low-income backgrounds (≥3.5 GPA)

The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) introduces students to the fundamentals of journalism through workshops, newsroom visits, and writing mentorship. You’ll learn how political and social stories are researched, written, and edited under the guidance of professional journalists. The program focuses on practical reporting and storytelling, while helping you strengthen your college-level writing skills. The experience also includes college advising and essay-writing guidance. Students work together to produce The Princeton Summer Journal, which will be published at the end of the program. 

7. ResearcHStart – University of Chicago Consortium

Cohort Size: 30 students
Location: Chicago and Urbana-Champaign campuses
Cost: Free; stipend ($3,000)
Dates: Mid-June – Early August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: January end
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors aged 16+

ResearcHStart connects high school students with cancer researchers at the University of Chicago and partner institutions. You’ll work full-time in a lab, performing experiments and analysing data, under the guidance of university mentors. This mirrors the experience of a professional research assistant, combining lab work with workshops on scientific communication and career development. The program wraps up with a symposium, where students present their work. 

8. UCSF – Summer Student Research Program (SSRP)

Cohort Size: Varies annually
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Cost: Free; stipend ($3,000–$4,300)
Dates: Early June – Early August (9 weeks)
Application Deadline: Mid-February
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors aged 16+

The Summer Student Research Program (SSRP) offers students mentorship to high school students from University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) researchers in clinical and biomedical fields. You’ll take part in lab work, seminars, and skill-building sessions throughout the summer, led by faculty and clinicians. This experience helps you understand how research shapes healthcare outcomes while mentorship strengthens your scientific and professional skills. You'll also gain experience presenting results and collaborating with students from diverse backgrounds. 

9. Texas Tech University – Clark Scholars Program

Cohort Size: 12 students
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: Free; stipend ($750)
Dates: June 16 – August 1 (7 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students aged 17+ graduating in the next 2 years

The Clark Scholars Program offers a research-based experience to high school students in STEM and social sciences. You’ll work one-on-one with Texas Tech faculty, contributing to ongoing projects in engineering, biology, and physics. With a small cohort size, the program provides close mentorship and access to advanced university research facilities. Students also attend discussions and seminars led by professors and guest experts. 

10. NYU Tandon – ARISE Program

Cohort Size: 76–80 students
Location: New York University, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free; stipend ($750 minimum)
Dates: June 3 – August 9 (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: NYC residents completing 10th or 11th grade

The ARISE program at New York University (NYU) introduces high school students to applied science and engineering through a blend of lab work and workshops. You can explore areas such as robotics, molecular biology, and chemical engineering under the mentorship of NYU faculty. The program focuses on teamwork and real-world research, preparing you for both college and industry projects. The first four weeks consist of virtual skill-building and research training, followed by six weeks of in-person lab work. The program concludes with a final colloquium, where you present your research findings and receive a stipend.

11. Harvard–MIT Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)

Cohort Size: 10–15 students
Location: Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free; stipend provided
Dates: September – May (academic year)
Application Deadline: May
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (U.S. and international)

The Harvard–MIT Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) introduces high school students to astrophysics and climate science research. As an intern, you’ll work in small teams, collecting and analysing real astronomical data under the mentorship of Harvard and MIT scientists. Along the way, you’ll develop coding, data interpretation, and scientific writing skills. Weekly sessions feature lectures, progress reviews, and guest talks from active researchers. The program concludes with presentations at Harvard’s annual research symposium.

12. UC Irvine Math ExpLR Summer Research Program

Cohort Size: Moderate
Location: University of California, Irvine (CA)
Cost: Free
Dates: June – July
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High school students (details released with new application)

The Math ExpLR program at UC Irvine introduces high school students to the use of mathematics in understanding biological systems. Students work in teams with undergraduates and faculty mentors on computational biology projects. Weekly sessions cover programming for data analysis, scientific writing, and presentation techniques. The program focuses on quantitative reasoning, teamwork, and the application of mathematical concepts to real-world biological problems. It serves as an introduction to research at the crossroads of mathematics and life sciences.

13. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)

Cohort Size: Highly selective
Location: Cornell University, University of Maryland, and University of Michigan
Cost: Free; fully funded (includes tuition, housing, books, and travel aid)
Dates: June 21 – July 25 (5 weeks)
Application Deadline: December 3
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors aged 15–17 (U.S. and international students)

The Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) is a fully funded humanities and social sciences program that examines the themes of race, culture, and democracy. As a part of the program, you’ll take part in college-level discussions, community projects, and decision-making activities. Workshops on public speaking and transformative justice complement the academic seminars. Faculty and advisors live alongside students, helping create a collaborative learning environment. 

Bonus - Ladder Internship Program

Cohort Size: Selective
Location: Remote (accessible worldwide)
Cost: Varies according to program (financial aid available)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year - Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort (Spring: January, Summer: May, Fall: September, Winter: November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap-year students (10–20 hrs/week for 8–12 weeks)

Ladder Internships connect high school students with high-growth startups in fields such as AI, deep tech, marketing, and healthcare. You’ll work on real-world projects and present deliverables to company leaders while receiving mentorship from both a startup manager and a Ladder coach. The program gives students early exposure to professional environments while developing tangible career skills. Each internship lasts around eight weeks and focuses on practical learning over theory. Financial aid options are available, making the program accessible to students from diverse backgrounds.

Image Source - MITES Summer (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Logo