Free Summer Programs for High School Students
Nichable lists 120 free summer programs for high school students right now. Each listing states that it's free, and each one is checked against the organization's own page.
Many of the best-known summer programs for high schoolers charge thousands of dollars, but plenty of strong ones are free: governor's schools, university outreach programs, coding camps run by tech companies and foundations, and residential institutes that cover tuition, housing and meals for everyone they accept.
Free programs are usually more selective than paid ones, and many are aimed at students from a particular state, city or background. Most open applications in the winter for the following summer, so the time to look is now, not in May.
What counts
- · Programs with no tuition, where students pay nothing to attend
- · Residential programs that cover housing and meals for every student
- · Free day programs, camps and courses run by universities, nonprofits and companies
- · Programs that are free for everyone, not only for scholarship winners
Real free summer programs right now
Every summer 2027 listing: programs, research, internships and jobs, soonest deadline first.
66 upcoming deadlines for summer and year-round programs, by month, with a calendar you can subscribe to.
How to actually get one
- · Check the eligibility line first. Free programs often limit who can apply by state, city, grade or family income, and that line decides whether a program is worth your time.
- · Start in December or January. Most free summer programs close their applications between January and March.
- · Read what "free" covers. Some free programs pay for everything including travel; others cover tuition but expect you to get yourself there each day.
- · Apply to several. Because they're free, they're competitive, and applying to four or five raises your odds far more than polishing one application.
Common questions
Are there free summer programs for high school students?
Yes. Universities, governor's schools, nonprofits and companies run summer programs that charge students nothing, and some residential ones cover housing and meals too.
Are free summer programs harder to get into?
Usually, yes. Without a price filtering applicants, free programs tend to get more applications per seat, and many reserve places for students from specific states or backgrounds.
When do free summer programs open applications?
Most open between November and January and close between January and March for the following summer.
How does Nichable know a program is free?
A program appears in this guide only when its listing states that it's free, and every listing is checked against the organization's own page. Programs that charge show their cost on the listing instead.