15 Finance Internships for High School Students in Illinois
If you’re interested in financial management, finance internships can help you translate academic interests into real-world understanding. By participating in an internship, you gain early exposure to professional environments, develop practical skills that strengthen your resume, and begin building an understanding of how financial organizations operate. These experiences also help clarify career direction, improve college and scholarship applications, and build confidence in workplace communication and in taking on responsibility.
What does Illinois have to offer for high school students interested in finance?
For students in Illinois, access to major financial institutions, universities, and city-supported programs creates a wide range of opportunities. To help you explore what is available, we have compiled a list of 15 finance internships for high school students in Illinois that offer meaningful, skill-based exposure without requiring prior experience.
P.S. If you're in Illinois and want to keep exploring,15 Business Internships for High School Students in Illinois covers a broader range of business programs worth looking at. And15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Illinois is useful if you're still figuring out which direction to go and want to see what's out there across fields.
15 Finance Internships for High School Students in Illinois
1. Chicago Summer Business Institute
Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June to August
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors residing in Chicago with a GPA of a “B” or 3.0 average and a family income of $80,000 or less per year
The Chicago Summer Business Institute is a 6-week paid finance internship for high school students in Illinois that places you in professional workplaces across the city, including financial firms, accounting offices, corporate departments, and public agencies. You’ll work alongside professionals while assisting with tasks related to budgeting, economic research, administrative support, or data management, depending on your placement. In addition to your internship hours, you attend weekly workshops focused on resume writing, communication skills, workplace expectations, and career readiness. Guest speakers from finance, business, and public administration share insights into their career paths and daily responsibilities.
2. Ladder Internships
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
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 an 8-week virtual program that places you with a high-growth startup, some of which operate in finance-adjacent areas such as consulting, data analysis, or business strategy. Interns work directly with a startup team on real projects that may involve market research, financial tracking, business analysis, or operational planning. Many host companies are venture-backed and led by founders with experience at major technology or finance-driven firms. Throughout the internship, you receive structured support from a Ladder Coach who helps guide your work and professional development. The program also includes one-on-one training in communication, time management, and project execution. At the end of the internship, you present your work to the company. Here is the application form.
3. Genesys Works Chicago
Location: Various locations
Stipend: $10,000–$13,000 during senior year
Dates: 8 weeks of summer training between the junior and senior year
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Open to juniors in high school who are on track to graduate, are able to work in the U.S., and can have an adjusted school schedule in their senior year
Genesys Works Chicago combines intensive summer training with a paid, part-time internship during your senior year of high school. It kicks off with an 8-week summer program focused on professional skills, business technology, workplace communication, and project coordination. After training, you are placed with a corporate partner where you may support finance teams, assist with data analysis, contribute to process improvement, or handle administrative tasks. During the school year, you typically work up to 20 hours per week while continuing your studies. This finance internship for high school students in Illinois also provides ongoing college and career coaching, including help with applications and financial aid planning.
4. Bank of America Student Leaders
Location: Nationwide (the Leadership Summit is held in Washington, D.C.)
Stipend: Provided; all expenses towards the trip to Washington, D.C. are covered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Over 300 students
Dates: June–August, with the Summit held in July
Application deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who have authorization to work in the U.S., live in an eligible area, and have not participated in the program before
The Bank of America Student Leaders program offers an 8-week paid summer internship at a local nonprofit organization, including placements in Chicago. You work full-time supporting operations such as budgeting, fundraising, project coordination, or community outreach, gaining insight into how organizations manage financial resources. Additionally, all participants attend a national Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C. During the summit, you engage in sessions on economic policy, nonprofit finance, and civic leadership. The experience helps you understand how financial decision-making connects to community impact at both local and national levels.
5. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: Various locations across the U.S., including IL
Stipend: $18 – $20 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
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
This 4-week finance internship for high school students in Illinois provides paid summer experience in accounting, finance, and professional services. As an intern, you’ll get to assist with real client-related work that may include auditing processes, tax preparation support, financial analysis, or research tasks, depending on your team. Working alongside professionals allows you to observe how financial information supports business decisions. The program also includes workshops focused on workplace expectations, communication skills, and career exploration within accounting and advisory services. Mentorship from CLA professionals helps connect academic concepts to real-world applications.
6. On the Money (OTM) Paid Internship
Location: Chicago
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: January - May (Spring cohort)
Application deadline: January 10 (Interviews begin January 13; students are encouraged to submit materials before that date)
Eligibility: High school students across Chicago
The On the Money Magazine Internship is a paid, hybrid program for Chicago high school students interested in finance, economics, and entrepreneurship. Student interns receive training in financial literacy, business concepts, and professional communication while researching and writing articles for On the Money magazine. Over the semester, you attend regular meetings, collaborate on projects, and present your work to peers and mentors. Your writing focuses on personal finance and economic topics relevant to young audiences. Published articles are distributed across Illinois, giving your work a real audience.
7. Junior Economic Club of Chicago – Careers in Business (CIB) Internship Program
Location: Partner startups, firms, and organizations across Chicago; hybrid/remote options may be available
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies as per partner organizations
Dates: Typically, summer and academic year options
Application deadline: Varies by partner organization; JEC membership required
Eligibility: High school students who are members of the Junior Economic Club of Chicago; selection based on academic performance and demonstrated interest in business or economics
The Careers in Business Internship Program connects you with placements at startups, investment firms, and business organizations across Chicago. Depending on your match, you may assist with industry research, company analysis, investment underwriting support, or curriculum development for financial education initiatives. Past host organizations have included Dekos Capital, FinLit, and startups affiliated with Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Your responsibilities vary based on the host’s needs, offering exposure to different business and finance environments. Further, the finance internship for high school students in Illinois also connects you to the Junior Economic Club’s professional and alumni network.
8. One Summer Chicago – Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
Location: Chicago area
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Not specified
Application deadline: Typically, May
Eligibility: Chicago youth ages 16–24
The Summer Youth Employment Program is a 6-week paid initiative that places you in jobs or specialized training programs across Chicago. Placements include corporate offices, government agencies, local businesses, and finance-focused tracks such as the Peer Money Mentors program. If you choose a financial literacy placement, you learn budgeting, money management, and basic economic concepts while developing workplace skills. All participants complete workforce preparation training that covers resume building, communication, and interview readiness. Interns also gain experience working with supervisors and teams in real job settings.
9. One Summer Chicago – Chicagobility
Location: Chicago area
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Not specified
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Chicago youth ages 14-15
Chicagobility is a 6-week, entry-level summer work experience within One Summer Chicago that provides a paid stipend for completing 120 hours of activities. You participate in career exploration, workforce preparation, and financial literacy training rather than a traditional job placement. The finance internship for high school students in Illinois focuses on helping you build foundational skills, including resume creation, direct deposit setup, and professional communication. Participants are supported by adult mentors throughout the experience. Chicagobility primarily serves youth from underrepresented or high-need backgrounds, including students with disabilities, English language learners, and those in foster care or unstable housing.
10. Chicago Transit Authority - One Summer Chicago High School Internship
Location: Chicago (hybrid)
Stipend: $16.60/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 250 interns; Highly competitive
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application deadline: April 17
Eligibility: Open to rising sophomores through graduated seniors (ages 16–18) enrolled in high school, with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Must be eligible to work in the U.S.
The Chicago Transit Authority offers a 7-week paid internship through One Summer Chicago that introduces you to public-sector operations and transportation services. Selected interns work in a hybrid format while participating in professional development and mentorship activities. Financial literacy training covers budgeting, money management, and understanding workplace compensation. The program provides technology to support remote components and offers networking opportunities with other interns across the city. You also attend workshops focused on career exploration and workplace skills. Eligible students may earn college credit through Olive Harvey College while being paid.
11. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Gies College of Business’s Emerging Business Leaders
Location: Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana
Cost: $400; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Not specified
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a 3.2+ GPA
Emerging Business Leaders is a week-long, on-campus summer program for rising high school seniors interested in business and finance. Hosted at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the program introduces you to core business disciplines such as finance, human resources, operations, and strategy through workshops, discussions, and group projects. You collaborate with peers to solve business problems while learning from Gies faculty, students, and alumni. Sessions also cover communication skills, personal branding, and the college admissions process. Living on campus provides a preview of undergraduate life. Students who complete the program receive a University of Illinois undergraduate application fee waiver.
12. UChicago Summer Three-Week Immersion: Economics, Policy, and Finance Tracks
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago
Cost: Residential: $9,300 | Commuter: $6,100 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – July 2 | Session 2: July 7 – 23
Application deadline: Priority: February 11; Regular: March 12
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 11; Must be at least 14 years old
UChicago’s Summer Immersion program offers a 3-week residential experience featuring undergraduate-level coursework in economics, policy, and finance. In this program, you’ll attend daily lectures taught by University of Chicago faculty, covering topics such as economic theory, public policy analysis, and financial systems. Courses are academically rigorous and reflect the expectations of college classes. In addition to lectures, you participate in workshops, research activities, and discussions with researchers and professionals. Residential students live on campus, gaining exposure to college life. Available tracks include macroeconomics, causal reasoning, and global political economy. Since it is not a traditional internship, the program emphasizes academic exploration rather than job placement.
13. Wharton Global Youth Program: Financial Decision Making
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,099
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – 26 | July 6 – 17
Application deadline: Rolling | Priority deadline: January 28
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9–12
The Financial Decision Making course is a 2-week intensive program offered by the Wharton Global Youth Program at the University of Pennsylvania. You’ll engage in core concepts in economics and finance, including personal finance, credit, financial markets, and monetary policy. The curriculum covers case studies, real-world datasets, and Excel-based analysis exercises. Topics include budgeting, investing, risk-return tradeoffs, and inflation. Instruction is designed by Wharton faculty with expertise in capital markets and strategic finance. You build analytical skills by evaluating financial choices using data. Completion of the program earns a Wharton Global Youth Certificate.
14. Brown University Pre-College: Pre-Baccalaureate: Principles of Economics
Location: Virtual
Cost: $8,973 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9 to 12, aged 14 to 18 by June 14
Brown University’s Pre-Baccalaureate program allows high school seniors to take a credit-bearing undergraduate course during the summer. The Principles of Economics course introduces you to market behavior, resource allocation, and economic institutions. You examine issues such as unemployment, inflation, and income distribution through lectures, discussions, and independent study. The 7-week course mirrors the structure and expectations of a regular Brown class. Participants earn college credit and receive a performance report upon completion. The course serves both prospective economics majors and students seeking a broad foundation in the subject.
15. Dartmouth Precollege Online Program’s Finance: Investing & Market Insights Course
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by program. Between March 1 to April 26
Application deadline: Varies by program. Between February 22 to March 22
Eligibility: High school students aged 13+
Dartmouth’s Finance: Investing & Market Insights is a virtual course that introduces high school students to core finance concepts through structured online instruction. You’ll study financial markets, investment strategies, risk-return relationships, and company valuation methods. Lessons cover topics such as IPO mechanics, financial statement analysis, and discounted cash flow valuation. The course is taught by Dartmouth instructors and delivered through video modules and guided exercises. You apply what you learn in a final capstone project evaluating a real investment opportunity. Students who complete the course receive a Certificate of Completion from Dartmouth.
Image source - Genesys Works logo