Top 12 Paid Government Internships for High School Students
For high school students curious about careers in public service, policy, law, or environmental work, paid government internships for high school students offer an accessible chance to engage with complex issues in a professional setting. Government internships often go beyond textbook learning, giving you a front-row seat to how federal agencies and public institutions operate. As an intern, you could be researching environmental data, supporting community outreach, or shadowing professionals in legal or diplomatic settings, building skills and connections that can shape your future path.
Many government internships, such as the ones below for high school students, come with a stipend or hourly wage, making it easier to invest your time without taking on extra costs. It’s also a smart way to explore government-related fields before college, especially if you're considering majors in political science, public health, or international relations.
With so many options out there, we've sifted through the noise to highlight 12 of the best paid government internships for high school students—programs that are not only reputable but also rewarding in practical ways.
1. Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars (AFRL) Program
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Stipend: $615.60 – $861.60/week (based on education level and credits earned)
Program Dates:
Fall: 16 weeks (late August/early September – mid-December)
Spring: 16 weeks (mid-January – early May)
Summer: 10 weeks (late May/early June – August)
Application Deadline: October 10 – January 10 (summer cohort)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens over 16 years of age with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program offers highly selective, paid government internships for high school students that place them alongside AFRL scientists and engineers. During the internship, you'll take part in research-intensive projects related to aerospace, computing, and advanced physics. Depending on your placement, you might work on topics like machine learning reliability, fault detection on satellites, cold atom control systems, or spacecraft autonomy using reinforcement learning.
You will be expected to actively participate in experimental design, data analysis, or software development, depending on the project’s focus. You’ll get practical exposure to current challenges in fields like space situational awareness and small satellite design, while also learning directly from professionals in a federal research setting.
2. U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ): Pathways Internship Program
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid and unpaid opportunities available
Program Dates: Varies by internship
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Enrolled high school students; At least 16 years old by the closing date of the announcement; Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 at the time of application and throughout the internship appointment
If you're considering a career related to law, public service, or government, the U.S. Department of Justice Pathways Internship Program can offer early exposure to the federal workplace while you’re still in high school. Through this program, you may be placed in departments like the Office of Legal Policy or the Office of the Attorney General, where you’ll assist with basic research, administrative support, or policy-related tasks.
The internship is designed to help you understand how legal frameworks are implemented in real-world settings and how different government branches interact on matters of justice and public policy. You’ll gain practical experience in a professional legal environment, learning workplace protocols and communication skills in the process. Projects might involve compiling reports, reviewing policy documents, or helping staff coordinate events and outreach. If eligible, you may even have the chance to transition into a permanent role within a federal agency after completing the program.
3. Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP) by ABA
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Stipend: $2,000
Program Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: January (Tentative)
Eligibility: High school students
The Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP) by the ABA aims to provide quality legal and government internships for high school students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. As an intern, you will be placed in one of several judicial chambers across the U.S., where you will get to work directly with state or federal judges. You will get to experience a real court environment, observe trials, and engage in legal research. This program is particularly useful for students interested in law as it gives them valuable experience and exposure to practitioners.
4. Internships at Senator Chris Van Hollen’s Office
Location: Senator Chris Van Hollen's Rockville and Baltimore offices
Stipend: Paid
Program Dates:
Summer: May 19 – June 27 (Session I); July 7 – August 15 (Session II)
Fall: September 2 – December 19
Spring: January 5 – May 15
Application Deadline:
Summer: March 7
Fall: June 13
Spring: October 23
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors; Maryland residents are prioritized
Senator Chris Van Hollen’s Capitol Hill, Rockville, and Baltimore offices offer internships for both high school and college students. While the Capitol Hill internship is only open to college students, the Rockville and Baltimore offices are open to high school juniors and seniors. As an intern, your work will involve taking phone calls, aiding with constituent casework, and drafting correspondence to constituents and federal agencies. In addition to hands-on work in a Senator’s office, you’ll also attend community events, meetings, and briefings, and draft memos for staff and the Senator.
5. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) – Department of the Navy
Location: Various Department of the Navy laboratories across the country
Stipend: $4,000 (new participants); $4,500 (returning participants)
Program Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12 who are 16 years old by the start of the program and are U.S. citizens
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) allows interns to spend eight weeks working directly in a U.S. Department of the Navy research lab, where you'll assist on real projects alongside professional scientists and engineers. This program places around 300 students each year across more than 38 labs nationwide. You could be involved in anything from analyzing materials used in naval systems to supporting computer simulations, electronics testing, or environmental monitoring, depending on your placement. As a SEAP intern, you’ll receive mentoring that helps you build both technical and professional skills.
This government internship looks for applicants who demonstrate academic achievement and a clear interest in science and engineering. This means your application will be judged on grades, recommendations, personal statements, and alignment with research goals.
6. NASA OSTEM High School Internship Programs
Location: NASA centers across the country
Stipend: Paid
Program Dates:
Spring: 16 weeks (mid-January – early May)
Summer: 10 weeks (late May – August)
Fall: 16 weeks (late August – mid-December)
Application Deadline:
Fall: May 16
Spring: September 12
Summer: February 27
Eligibility: Full-time high school students over 16 years of age with a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale who are U.S. citizens are eligible to apply
Through NASA's OSTEM High School Internship Programs, you can take part in paid research and technical projects that support real NASA missions, whether you're interested in aerospace engineering, computer science, data analysis, or sustainable materials. You’ll also be paired with mentors who guide your contributions while helping you build both technical know-how and scientific communication skills. The application process is competitive and based on your academic performance, interests, and demonstrated motivation in science or engineering.
7. New York City Office of the Mayor Internship
Location: City Hall, New York City
Stipend: $16.50 per hour
Program Dates: July 7 – August 29
Application Deadline: February 21 – March 30
Eligibility: High school students 16 years of age or older who possess current working papers/employment certification at the time of application are eligible
For those interested in public service, urban policy, or civic engagement, the New York City Office of the Mayor Internship allows you to explore how city government operates while contributing to meaningful projects. You’ll be placed in a department aligned with your interests, such as communications, sustainability, or education, where you’ll get to analyze data, draft reports, support public events, or conduct outreach initiatives.
In addition to your daily assignments, you’ll attend bi-weekly speaker sessions at City Hall featuring high-level officials like Deputy Mayors and Commissioners. You’ll also collaborate with fellow interns on a service project that addresses a local community need, such as revitalizing a park or organizing a neighborhood clean-up.
8. National Institute of Health Summer Internship Program
Location: NIH campus, as well as Labs in Baltimore and Frederick, Maryland; Research Triangle Park, NC
Stipend: Based on educational level and adjusted annually
Program Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February 19
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who will be 17 years of age by June 1, are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher can apply. Applicants must live in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia within 40 miles of the main NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland
If you attend a school where at least 30% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, the NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP) could be an option where you get to dive into biomedical and public health research. Rather than working full-time in a lab, you'll take part in a range of activities, including research group visits, lectures, and group projects aimed at giving you a broader understanding of health-related careers.
The program offers government internships for high school students that include sessions on college applications, resilience and well-being, and professional skill-building. You’ll engage with NIH staff and researchers, attend career panels, and participate in small group discussions that focus on topics such as scientific communication and ethics. The program takes place on the NIH campus and is designed to support students historically underrepresented in science.
9. Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program of the New York City Bar
Location: Various locations across New York City
Stipend: $15-21 per hour
Program Dates: 10-12 weeks in the summer, depending on placement
Application Deadline: Applications open on November 25
Eligibility: NYC public high school students
Each summer, the Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program matches students with legal employers for a paid internship lasting six to eight weeks. As an intern, you’ll be expected to contribute to real legal workplaces such as law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, or nonprofits. You’ll carry out tasks like preparing case materials, conducting basic legal research, supporting administrative operations, and even attending hearings or client meetings.
The experience also includes training sessions focused on workplace skills, legal ethics, and career planning for holistic professional development. Previous interns have worked with organizations such as Accenture LLP, Columbia Law School, and the NYC Commission on Human Rights.
10. U.S. Forest Service: Youth Conservation Corps
Location: Varies, opportunities near you can be found here
Stipend: Interns are paid the Federal minimum wage or state minimum wage, if higher
Program Dates: 1-3 months in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students 15 through 18 years of age, who are permanent residents of the United States, are eligible
As a part of the U.S. Forest Service Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), you would spend your summer working outdoors on conservation projects across national forests and public lands. This paid program places you on a team where you might build or maintain hiking trails, restore historic structures, remove invasive plant species, or assist with wildlife monitoring and ecological research.
The experience is hands-on and designed to introduce you to careers in environmental stewardship, forestry, and land management. Some projects may also involve helping run environmental education programs for the public. You’ll earn at least federal or state minimum wage, depending on your location, and gain insight into civic responsibility and sustainability.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid on an annual salary basis of $37,238
Program Dates: Summer Session I: June 8 – 27 | Summer Session II: July 8 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Rising juniors and rising seniors who will be 16 or 17 years old on or before the date of appointment; A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0/B; Senate Pages must be sponsored by a Senator
As a Senate Page, you’d work directly inside the U.S. Capitol, assisting with the day-to-day operations of the Senate while attending school each morning. Your duties would include delivering official documents, preparing the Senate chamber before sessions, helping during roll call votes, and supporting senators and staff on the floor.
This selective government internship for high school students requires a strong sense of responsibility and time management, especially since you'll be balancing work with a 6:00 a.m. academic schedule and adapting to the long, variable hours of the Senate’s calendar. Pages live at the Daniel Webster Senate Page Residence on Capitol Hill unless granted permission to commute during summer sessions. This position is open only to students sponsored by a U.S. senator, and space is limited—only 30 page positions are available to serve all 100 senators.
12. Virtual Student Federal Service (VSFS) Internships
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Unpaid but eligible for course credit
Program Dates: September – May
Application Deadline: July 1 – July 31
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are enrolled in a degree-seeking program at an accredited academic institution are eligible to apply. Find more eligibility information here
Through the Virtual Student Federal Service internship program, you can contribute remotely to real-world projects for U.S. federal agencies over an academic year. You’d be expected to commit about 10 hours per week from anywhere in the world, working on assignments that range from writing research reports on global issues like human rights and environmental policy to designing digital tools or analyzing data.
The scope of the work depends on the agency—some projects involve policy research, while others focus on communications, coding, data visualization, or international development. Agencies like the State Department, USAID, CIA, and the Smithsonian have all hosted interns through these government internships for high school students. While the internships are unpaid, plenty of schools offer academic credit.