Are you a high school student interested in preparing for a career in the financial sector? Or perhaps you just want to learn more about managing your money as you get older? Either way, investing in a summer finance program is a wonderful way to set yourself up for both professional and personal success. Careers in finance are expected to grow steadily over the next decade, and these careers often pay tens of thousands more per year than the average national salary. Awareness of your financial situation is also a crucial life skill that many experts feel is lacking in traditional education.
You’ll find several options for summer finance programs designed with high schoolers in mind, including Noble partner school NextGen’s live online summer finance program and summer finance program in NYC. Read on to find out more about summer programs that teach critical financial skills to high school students!
Types of Finance Summer Programs for High School Students
There are many different types of programs available to high school students interested in learning finance over the summer. One of the primary differences is the virtual vs. in-person learning options. Remote classes are a convenient way for students to access quality education without commuting, especially if they live in a more remote area. The available courses also vary in length and daily time commitment. Some programs are more intensive, while others require only a few hours per day, meaning that students with jobs or other summer commitments can still participate.
A final key difference between these programs is where they take place. Private companies offer some, but many are available in partnership with prestigious universities. These programs usually offer students the opportunity to live on campus in the dorms for the class duration. These programs might be especially appealing to students who are planning to apply for college and want to learn more about university life.
#1 NextGen Bootcamp—Excel, Finance, & Investing Summer Program
What is Taught in This Program?
NextGen Bootcamp offers an Excel, Finance, & Investing Summer Program for high school students who are passionate about learning essential business skills. The course starts with simple Excel techniques like data entry and shortcuts before moving into more advanced topics like Pivot Tables and automation. Students will also learn to conduct thoughtful investment research by analyzing stock prices.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This course is suitable for beginners with no prior experience in Excel or other financial software. The only requirement is that students possess basic computer skills before enrolling.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
NextGen offers their finance summer program both in-person and online. The campus is located in New York City near several public transportation options for students who plan to commute. Students who participate virtually will use Zoom to communicate with their classmates and instructor.
How Long Does This Program Last?
The in-person program lasts for one week, with classes taking place on weekdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The online course is three hours per day for two weeks. Here, classes last from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm EST.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
This course is designed for high school and college students. It is especially useful for those who are hoping to enter a finance-related field like business or real estate. Still, anyone who is curious about Excel or investing can take it.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The cost of this program depends on which version you attend; the in-person class is $1,395, and the virtual class is $1,299. NextGen provides students with supplemental materials that they can refer back to as they continue their education. Students who take the course remotely will need access to a PC or Mac computer with the appropriate software installed. A NextGen instructor can provide support to make sure your computer is functioning properly before class begins.
#2: Noble Desktop - FinTech Bootcamp
What is Taught in This Program?
Those enthusiastic about technology and curious about a career in finance might be interested in Noble Desktop’s FinTech Bootcamp. This course teaches students to use Python and Structured Query Language (SQL) to analyze data and communicate with large databases. Students will also learn about machine learning models, risk management, and SEC filings throughout the course.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This course is designed for beginners. Registrants can request a free supplemental information packet before the course starts to familiarize themselves with financial concepts like stock fundamentals, IRR, and NPV.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
Attendees can participate in this bootcamp online or in-person.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This bootcamp is offered on a full-time and part-time basis, so students with varying outside commitments can still receive a quality education. The full-time version is four weeks while the part-time version is four months.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
Students who are 18 years old or turning 18 soon can attend.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
This bootcamp is $4,495 per person. In addition to over 100 hours of live instruction, students receive a certificate of completion and mentoring sessions with their instructors. This price also includes the option to retake the bootcamp for free within a year, which is handy if you’d like to work on different projects or brush up on core concepts. Students can finance their tuition with a 0% interest loan or make installment payments.
#3: Noble Desktop - Financial Modeling Bootcamp
What is Taught in This Program?
If you only have time for a shorter course, check out Noble Desktop’s Financial Modeling Bootcamp. In just 21 hours, students will learn advanced Excel techniques to design a discounted cash flow (DCF) and create a financial model for an existing company.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This program is designed for beginners. As long as students possess basic computer skills, they are eligible to enroll.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
Students can take this course in-person at Noble’s Manhattan campus or online. Virtual participants will use Zoom to connect with their classmates and instructors in real-time.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This class takes just three days to complete. Sessions are held Wednesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm EST.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
High school juniors and seniors can attend as long as they are 18 or turning 18 in the near future.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
This class is $995 per student and includes a certificate of completion and the option to retake the class for free within a year. While no financial aid or payment plans are available, students can take this course as part of Noble Desktop’s Financial Analyst Training Program.
#4: Columbia University Pre-College Programs - Introduction to Finance and Investment Management
What is Taught in This Program?
Columbia University offers an Introduction to Finance and Investment Management as part of their pre-college summer program. This class helps students understand how the financial system works by exploring how stocks are valued and which investment strategies work best for particular markets. By the end of the class, students will be able to create their own portfolios with investment strategies they develop independently.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
Columbia’s finance program is geared towards beginners. No prior experience or prerequisite classes are required.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This program is available on Columbia’s campus.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This class lasts for one week in the summer. Sessions are held Monday through Friday from 9:10 am to 11:00 am. Students have a break, and classes resume from 1:10 pm to 3:00 pm.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
Students entering grades 9 through 12 or have just completed 12th grade are eligible for admission.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
This course costs $2,825 per student, plus an additional non-refundable $80 application fee. $1,000 is due when you receive notification of your acceptance, but this amount goes towards the total cost of the class. Columbia does not offer financial aid or scholarships for this program. If finances are a concern, students are encouraged to speak with someone at their school to help them apply for additional support.
#5: Fordham University - Wall Street in the Classroom
Fordham University has a class called Wall Street in the Classroom provided by the Gabelli School of Business. This program covers critical financial concepts like foreign currency exchange, stocks and bonds, assessing financial risk, and trends to be mindful of in the future. Students will also attend guest lectures from top New York City executives.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This class is for beginners, and no prior finance or investment experience is necessary. It is ideal for students who are interested in either working in finance or learning more about how to manage their money.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This course is offered exclusively online.
How Long Does This Program Last?
Fordham’s finance course lasts for one week during the summer. Sessions are held on weekdays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm with one hour for lunch.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
Students must be in high school to attend this program.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The total program cost is $1,000. A $50 deposit is required upon acceptance to secure your place, and the remaining balance is due within one week of your acceptance. There is a small number of need-based scholarships available upon request.
#6: Yale University - Finance & Investing
What is Taught in This Program?
Yale University has a Summer Finance and Investing class as part of its Summer Springboard program. This program focuses on investing in stocks and teaches students how to understand the root influences of stock prices and company valuation. For their final project, students will select a stock they believe to be undervalued and present an investment pitch to investors.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This course is suitable for beginners with no prior experience.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This class takes place on the Yale campus in New Haven, Connecticut.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This program lasts for two weeks in the summer. Class sessions are three hours in length. Outside of class time, students attend guest lectures and will also attend an excursion to a Wall Street brokerage firm.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
Students must be between the ages of 14 and 18 to attend. Enrollment is open to freshmen up to graduating seniors.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The cost of this program varies depending on which structure you choose. There is a residential program that includes overnight stays in the campus dorms, which costs $5,498. Two commuter programs allow students to remain on campus during the day. One is from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and is $2,998. The extended commuter program allows students to stay until 8:00 pm; this program costs $3,598.
There is a limited number of scholarships available to students with demonstrated financial need.
#7: Bentley University - Wall Street 101
What is Taught in This Program?
Bentley University offers a Wall Street 101 program to high school students over the summer. This program views stock trading and investing as a science. The instructors are industry experts who will teach students the principles of investing through lectures, case studies, and hands-on group projects. They also attend presentations at local Boston financial institutions to better understand the professional environment in which they plan to work.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This program is for beginners. No previous experience with investing is required, and there is no minimum GPA requirement for enrollment.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This program is offered in both in-person and online formats. The in-person program takes place on the Bentley campus. If you prefer the in-person option, there is a residential and commuter program.
How Long Does This Program Last?
The in-person version of this program lasts for one week, while the online program lasts for two weeks.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
To be eligible for this program, students must be entering either their junior or senior year of high school and be enrolled in college preparatory courses. Students who wish to participate in the residential program must be 16 or older.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The price of this program depends on the method in which you participate. The online program is $1,490, the commuter program is $2,250, and the residential program is $2,980. There are some scholarships available for students who have a financial need based on their income tax filings.
#8: UCLA Summer Institute - Introduction to Investments
What is Taught in This Program?
The UCLA Summer Institute offers an Introduction to Investments program to high school students during the summer. This program is taught by UCLA economics professors and covers topics including international investing, global markets, venture capital, and a history of financial panics over time. Students will also participate in small discussion groups with current UCLA economics majors. Towards the end of the course, students will also learn more about potential career paths in the financial industry.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This program is suitable for beginners. Admissions decisions are based on your application packet, which includes a short essay question, a demonstration of proficiency in English, and a copy of your transcript.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This course is offered in person on the UCLA campus in California.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This summer program is three weeks long.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
To be eligible to participate in this class, students must be enrolling in grades 8-12 in the spring of 2022. They must also be 14 or older as of June 20, 2022.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The total price of this program is $4,234 per student. This price includes registration fees, program fees, and a mandatory housing fee, as staying on campus is mandatory for all students. There are a small number of need- and merit-based scholarships available for students who are California residents.
Why Learn Finance During the Summer?
Enrolling in a summer program to learn about finance is beneficial for several reasons. First, you’ll build relationships with your classmates and instructors that have the potential to last a lifetime. These connections can lead to exciting networking opportunities, mainly since some of these programs include excursions to Wall Street and other finance hubs. Many courses also teach fundamental skills with Microsoft Excel, a highly marketable and transferable skill. Many employers require proficiency in Excel even if you don’t end up working in finance.
While these courses aren’t explicitly designed to teach personal financial literacy solely, many of them touch on its importance. These courses present students with a unique opportunity to learn how to manage their money at a young age. Being armed with this knowledge could help you avoid some common financial pitfalls like being unable to afford a home or not saving enough to retire. Regardless of your ultimate career path, gaining personal money management skills is a wise investment.
Which Finance Summer Program is Right for Me?
Now that you’ve reviewed some of the available options to learn about finance over the summer, you might be unsure how to narrow your choices. There are a few essential things to consider when enrolling in one of these programs. For most people, money is the most significant barrier to participating in a program like this. While these skills could lead to a lucrative career later in life, spending thousands of dollars can feel too daunting for some families. If this sounds like you, focus your attention on courses that offer financial aid or scholarships.
You’ll also want to pay attention to your learning style. Many of the programs discussed here offer a virtual learning environment, which can be extremely helpful for some students. But some students struggle to focus at home and perform at their best in a more traditional classroom. There’s no right or wrong answer, but if you desire an in-person learning experience, consider a course at NextGen, Columbia, Yale, or UCLA. While all of the programs listed above are suitable for students with no prior financial or investment experience, they teach a range of skills and subjects. It’s important to review the course curriculum to make sure you enroll somewhere that aligns with your interests and future goals.
There is a range of summer finance programs that cater to various academic and financial needs. Enrolling in one of these programs can enrich your life, but selecting which class to attend can be challenging. By taking the time to consider which program is the best fit for your unique needs, you’ll ensure that you make the most of this opportunity.
