15 Free Economics Internships for High School Students
Gaining experience through an internship can be a valuable step if you are interested in economics, business, finance, or public policy. These opportunities allow you to apply what you’ve learned in professional settings, develop practical skills, and gain insight into how different industries operate. They also connect with mentors who can guide your future and even write letters of recommendation for your college applications. In recent years, many universities, research centers, and organizations have created economics internships and programs for high schoolers.
Why Should I Do an Economics Internship in High School?
Free economics internships can greatly benefit you by giving you experience in professional economic environments, building your knowledge base beyond classroom theory. These internships expose you to the practical applications of economic principles, policy research, data analysis, and business operations. These programs also encourage long-term career planning by helping you figure out if economics is a field you want to pursue.
To make it easier to find the right fit, we’ve put together a list of 15 free economics internships and programs for high school students.
1. U.S. Department of the Treasury – Headquarters Student Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C. Some roles are remote
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Sessions include Spring (January – May), Summer (May – August), Fall (September – December)
Application Deadline: Spring: October; Summer: December; Fall: June
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens in an accredited high school
This internship places you within the Treasury Department’s major economic policy and finance domains. You may work in areas such as economic policy, legislative affairs, or domestic finance. You will assist with research, data analysis, policy formulation, drafting briefs, and support teams working on domestic finance, regulation, or international affairs. Through this internship, you gain insight into national economic policy in action, build analytical and leadership skills, and develop professional networks in economics. While unpaid, the experience is valuable if you are exploring economics/public policy.
2. Ladder Internships – Economics/Finance Track
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: 100% financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 – 25%; 70 – 100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts per year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students able to commit to 10 – 20 hours/week during the internship period for 8 – 12 weeks
Ladder connects you with startups or non-profits for project-based internships in finance, economics, business development, data analysis, or related fields. In the economics/finance track, you will work on real-world tasks such as market analysis, economic modelling, or financial strategy work under the mentorship of a company manager and a Ladder Coach. The programme culminates with a presentation of their project deliverables and gives exposure to professional economics and finance environments. The fully funded financial aid option ensures access regardless of cost. The remote format also allows global participation.
3. Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP)
Location: Kansas City, Missouri / Columbus, Ohio (USA)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend $12 – 14/hr + $2,500 scholarship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; Kansas City: 15 – 25 students, Columbus: typically, a large cohort size
Dates: Session 1: June 2 – 27; Session 2: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school students completing their junior or senior year
The Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP) offers participants a deep dive into the practical administration of nascent and mid-sized enterprises. You engage with departments such as marketing, financial planning, or general business management, learning how to interpret market metrics, monitor fiscal allocations, and study customer engagement protocols. You also attend supplemental seminars focusing on topics including individual asset management, professional discourse protocols, and overarching corporate strategy. Upon the conclusion of the session, you are required to present key discoveries derived from your learning.
4. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis – Student Board of Directors Program
Location: St. Louis, Missouri (USA)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 20 students
Dates: Runs during the academic year
Application Deadline: Typically, March
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors at a St. Louis-area public or private school whose parents are not bank employees
This outreach programme invites you to serve on the Student Board of Directors at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. In this program, you will learn about the central bank’s role in the economy, develop financial literacy and presentation skills, and collaborate on a group project/presentation. After completion, board members are in an excellent position to apply for summer internships within the Bank. The programme is designed for those interested in economics, public finance, or central-bank roles, offering mentorship, exposure to economists, and a real-world economic policy context.
5. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Various U.S. cities (internships at local nonprofits) + Washington, DC (Student Leaders Summit)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 300 students chosen nationwide each year
Dates: 8 weeks in summer, typically June – August (including 1-week Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC, July 21 – 26)
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors | Legally authorized to work in the U.S., residing in eligible locations | Not previously participated
The Student Leaders program offers high school juniors and seniors an eight-week paid internship with a local nonprofit, where they gain experience in community engagement and nonprofit operations. Throughout the internship, you develop essential civic, social, and professional skills and receive valuable mentorship. The program culminates in a week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC, offering opportunities to connect with peers and leaders from government, business, and nonprofit sectors. This experience fosters teamwork, communication, and leadership, preparing you to become a motivated, community-focused leader while gaining a meaningful first professional experience.
6. Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI)
Location: Chicago, Illinois (USA)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid (exact amount varies)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; around 125 students annually
Dates: Six weeks (June – August)
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Chicago high school sophomores or juniors with a GPA of “B” or 3.0+ and family income below $80,000
The Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) is a six-week, zero-cost, paid internship program that immerses high school sophomores and juniors from Chicago in the professional world. You will be placed in one of many diverse partner organizations, including investment firms, corporate finance departments, and consulting companies, gaining practical experience in business, finance, legal, or nonprofit fields. Beyond the work placement, the program features structured workshops, networking sessions, and seminars focused on workplace readiness, financial literacy, and data/business tasks. You also receive mentorship and feedback from professionals to significantly enhance your communication and problem-solving skills.
7. Port of Seattle High School Internship Program – Commerce/Logistics Economics Track
Location: Seattle, Washington (USA)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 10 – 20 students
Dates: 8 weeks typically between mid-June or early July through the end of August
Application Deadline: May 18
Eligibility: Current/recently graduated high school students or students enrolled in a GED completion program who are at least 16 years old | Authorized to work in the U.S.
This programme places you in internships focused on regional trade, transportation, logistics, and business economics contexts through the Port of Seattle’s operations. You engage in data analysis, project work, and explore how regional commerce and economics intersect in real-world settings. The program also features career development opportunities, such as facility tours, LinkedIn workshops, mentorship sessions, and resume-building activities, that help you prepare for professional and academic success. For economics-oriented students, this is a practical exposure to applied economics in a business/trade environment.
8. Texas Tech University - Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee, but no tuition fees / $750 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 12 students
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 by the start date | U.S. citizen or permanent resident | Graduating in the application year or the next year
The Clark Scholar Program at Texas Tech University is an elite seven-week summer research experience for high-achieving high school students aged 17 or older. You work alongside faculty on challenging research projects across diverse fields such as economics, biomedical sciences, engineering, and more. The program not only offers opportunities for in-depth research but also organizes seminars, discussions, and career-building workshops that foster both academic and personal development. You live on campus with peers from across the nation, receive complimentary housing and meals, and enjoy social and recreational activities on weekends. Selection is highly competitive and is based on outstanding academic credentials, strong recommendations, and clearly defined goals.
9. UCLA Economics Precollege Summer Institute
Location: Los Angeles, California, with online options
Cost/Stipend: Scholarships available for select California-based high school students to cover 100% of the tuition fees
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: 2 commuter and virtual programs each between June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: June 15
Eligibility: High school students who have a GPA of 3.2 or higher
The UCLA Economics Precollege Summer Institute is a three-week program designed for high school students to explore economic policy and earn college credit. It covers topics like price ceilings and floors, international trade, cost of taxation, and financial analysis, often mirroring the content of an introductory college economics course. You engage in activities such as attending lectures by UCLA faculty, participating in small-team case study projects, and delivering weekly presentations to demonstrate comprehension. A unique feature is the opportunity to learn alongside current UCLA undergraduates and faculty, allowing you to develop analytical thinking, data analysis skills, and professional communication.
10. University of Chicago – College Bridge / Pre-College Summer Sessions (Economics/Social Science Focus)
Location: Chicago, Illinois (USA)
Cost/Stipend: 100% financial aid for ‘Tier 1’ students (classified by household income)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; around 25 students funded every year
Dates: Mi-June – early August
Application Deadline: March 5
Eligibility: Academically advanced high school students currently enrolled in Chicago Public Schools and based on household income
This rigorous, three-week residential program is designed for high school students to experience undergraduate-level coursework. These courses, which carry college credit, are taught by UChicago faculty and lecturers and cover advanced subjects like Macroeconomic Models, Experimental Economics, or Elements of Human Capital Theory. You will engage in UChicago's signature discussion-based seminars, working on group projects/problem sets that apply theoretical concepts, and exploring the city on career treks to connect with industry practitioners. A unique feature is the highly competitive College Bridge Program, which offers a free, full-tuition pathway for qualifying Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students.
11. High School Fed Challenge – Regional Federal Reserve Banks
Location: Various regional U.S. Federal Reserve Banks
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not applicable
Dates: October 23 – March 16, inclusive of important milestones such as two information sessions and paper submission
Application Deadline: February 17; teams must register through a faculty advisor
Eligibility: All U.S.-based high school students in grades 9–12
Although not a classic internship, the Fed Challenge invites teams to analyse current economic conditions, craft monetary policy recommendations, and present to Federal Reserve economists. Teams conduct original research, investigate an economic theme, and submit a written project for possible publication in the “Journal of Future Economists.” Next year’s theme, “Economics of Music,” is about exploring how economic principles shape the music industry, consumer behavior, and innovation. You develop skills in economic research, data interpretation, reasoning, and public presentation. Participating in this competition provides exposure, credibility, and a deeper understanding of macroeconomic policy and central-bank dynamics.
12. Penn Arts & Sciences High School Programs – Economics Academy
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA)
Cost/Stipend: 100% tuition fee is covered via limited scholarships for select students who live and attend school in Philadelphia
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: July 11 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until full
Eligibility: High school students who live and attend school in Philadelphia | Have a 3.5 GPA
Hosted by UPenn’s School of Arts & Sciences, this three-week summer institute focuses on foundational economic principles through lectures, team case studies, and collaborative tasks. You will attend daily lectures and workshops led by Penn faculty and visiting experts, where you discuss, debate, and apply core economic models to real-world issues like market structures and global policy. Over the three weeks, you work collaboratively on a final capstone project, typically involving a poster presentation where you analyze a current economic challenge facing a country and propose solutions using the concepts learned in class. The scholarship track allows eligible students to attend at no cost.
13. Stanford Young Investigators – Social Science/Economics Research Track
Location: Stanford University, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Honorarium may be presented to low-income students who are U.S. citizens and are the first in their family to attend college
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 10%; between 6 – 30 scholars accepted
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least one year of high school | Live and attend school in the San Francisco Bay Area | Should not live further than 25 driving miles from campus
Stanford’s Young Investigators programme pairs you with faculty-led research groups, including social-science and applied economics projects alongside STEM. You engage in one-on-one research, work with post-docs or grad students, and produce short research deliverables or presentations. Your activities involve collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data related to environmental policy, resource allocation, and social equity, often utilizing coding skills for data interpretation and model building. Additionally, you participate in structured weekly activities, including attending talks by Stanford faculty on the broad field of Earth and environmental sciences, as well as going on lab tours and field trips to relevant research sites or institutions to gain real-world exposure.
14. Seed Scholars (in collaboration with Yale University Women in Economics)
Location: Virtual, along with a 4-day residential boot camp at Yale University, CT
Cost/Stipend: None for scholars with a household income of $125,000 or less; a non-refundable $75 commitment fee is to be paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 40 scholars
Dates: 10 months between March of the junior year through May of the senior year, with monthly virtual workshops; the 4-day bootcamp is held typically in late July
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Current high school juniors of all genders attending a public or parochial School | cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 | Household income should not exceed $125,000
The Seed Scholars initiative offers you a college-prep experience focusing on economics fundamentals, research project creation, and financial literacy. Mentors and professors from Yale guide selected scholars through an Economics Capstone Project and business plan-style competition, where you learn to apply economic theories to real-world community issues. Additionally, you engage in monthly virtual workshops over the academic year, focusing heavily on college admission and financing, including scholarship application and interview preparation. The program culminates with a mandatory 4-day residential overnight boot camp at Yale University,
15. New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) High School Business Bootcamp
Location: Virtual and on-campus (Long Island/NYC, USA)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; cohort size varies based on the number of students who register for each individual workshop session
Dates: One-day sessions between July and December
Application Deadline: Varies for each workshop
Eligibility: All high school students
The NYIT High School Business Bootcamp is a series of free, interactive, virtual workshops designed to give high school students foundational skills essential for college and future business careers. The workshops cover vital topics like Financial Literacy (personal finance and investing), Leadership and Team Building, and Strategic Planning, drawing on the expertise of NYIT School of Management faculty. You actively participate by attending live Zoom sessions, engaging in Q&A discussions with faculty experts, and learning about Personal Marketing techniques for career advancement. You develop practical skills in financial management, strategic thinking, and professional communication as you prepare for higher education and the modern workplace.
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