Summer is not just a break from school but a solid opportunity to expand your horizons, find new interests, and prepare yourself for future academic and personal success. In this article, we will explore free summer programs for students living in New Jersey, spanning various disciplines from humanities to STEM fields.

These programs offer more than just academic enrichment; they provide invaluable experiences, skill development, and personal growth opportunities. Continuing your education through summer programs keeps you engaged during your summer break and sets you up for a solid CV and college application. Admissions officers value applicants who go the extra mile to engage in a subject outside of the classroom, and a summer program is a great way to do this.

Here's our list of 11 free summer programs for high school students in New Jersey (NJ)! 

1. The Governor’s School of New Jersey in Engineering & Technology

The Governor's School of New Jersey in Engineering & Technology allows ambitious high school juniors to study at Rutgers University's School of Engineering. Schools can nominate one applicant for every 325 junior class members to this competitive program, which only admits less than 100 students each summer. Offering both on and off-campus opportunities, this summer program allows students to visit 2-3 local corporations to gain insights into prospective career paths. This program is free of grades and official credits. You will participate in workshops, interactions with faculty, and a presentation of your research project on a STEM subject of your choice. 

Location: Rutgers University, NJ. 

Application Deadline: January 12

Program Dates: July 1 – 25

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors living in New Jersey. 

2. New Jersey Institute of Technology’s High School Summer Research Internship

The NJIT Provost Summer Research enterprise offers hands-on STEM project experience. The program's structure allows you to work on a research project of your choice under the guidance of a faculty advisor. You will experience the different stages of research, from the first stages of design to hypothesizing and data collection, analysis, and finally, presentation. You will collaborate with undergraduate students, graduate students, and even postdoctoral researchers for your research project. At the end of your internship, you will present an electronic poster at the annual Summer Research Symposium and present your project and its outcomes to faculty and peers. 

Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, NJ. 

Application Deadline: February 26

Program Dates: June 24 – August 1

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors with an unweighted GPA of 3.75 or higher.

3. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation

The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation stands as a non-profit research program tailored for gifted students from low-income backgrounds. Stemming from the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, renowned for its extensive one-on-one research opportunities for high school students, the foundation provides the same access to independent research experiences at zero cost.

The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can apply here! This program is a solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper. 

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.

Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.

Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.

Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring.

Cost: Full financial aid is available!

4. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory High School Summer Internship

The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory offers this opportunity to explore plasma physics at one of the nation's premier research institutions. These internships, offered during the academic semester and summer break, present a unique chance to collaborate with professionals in plasma physics, fusion energy, and other related disciplines. This program offers experience working on projects alongside the laboratory's research and engineering staff. Your time with the program will span from experimental work to computational simulations as you gain insights into scientific research methodologies.

Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, NJ.

Application Deadline: March 1

Program Dates: 8-10 weeks in the summer (Monday-Friday). Internship dates depend on the student’s school schedule. 

Eligibility: Applicants must be rising seniors in high school and are encouraged to possess a strong background in physics, chemistry, advanced mathematics, engineering, as well as proficiency in computer languages and coding.

5. Princeton Summer Journalism Program

The Princeton Summer Journalism Program is a prestigious opportunity for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. In this hybrid program, you will engage in online sessions in July and in-person sessions in August. During the residential phase, you will attend workshops and lectures by educators and journalists. The program includes visits to news organizations such as The New York Times, Huffington Post, and Bloomberg. You will get experience covering professional sports events and local news in the Princeton area. Your efforts will culminate in the creation of The Princeton Summer Journal.

Location: Online & on Princeton University’s campus. 

Application Deadline: February 15

Program Dates: Online workshops throughout July and a 10-day residential experience on Princeton's campus in early August. 

Eligibility: You must be a rising high school junior and must meet at least one of the socioeconomic conditions listed here.

6. Medical Internship Navigating Diversity and Science (MINDS)

M.I.N.D.S. is an internship program for high school juniors and seniors from underrepresented or economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This summer program offers students an inside look into various medical disciplines. The program places an emphasis on hands-on learning through medical simulations and educational excursions. As a participant, you'll also earn your CPR/BLS Certification, a credential essential for every aspiring medical practitioner. Through M.I.N.D.S., you will learn how environmental factors, social standing, and educational access can influence health outcomes. A focal point of the program is the conception and implementation of a research endeavor centered on health disparities in New Jersey.

Location: Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, NJ 

Application Deadline: May 1 

Program Dates: 6 weeks, July-August. 

Eligibility: Financially disadvantaged high school juniors and seniors.

7. Summer Entrepreneurship and Business Academy (SEBA)

The Summer Entrepreneurship and Business Academy (SEBA) hosted by Stockton University School of Business offers local high school students an opportunity to explore entrepreneurship and business management. You will delve into an array of topics, including accounting, finance, marketing, and more. SEBA includes networking and field trips. You will participate in a business plan competition evaluated by faculty, advisory board members, and industry leaders. At the end of the program, teams will present their business plans and have the chance to win cash prizes.

Location: Stockton University, Galloway, NJ. 

Application Deadline: June 17

Program Dates: July 14 – 20 

Eligibility: Must be a high school sophomore or junior.

8. Rowan University’s Think Like an Entrepreneur

The Think Like an Entrepreneur Summer Academy allows you to learn about entrepreneurship while earning 3 college credits (equivalent to a full college course), applicable at Rowan University or transferable to other institutions. You and your peers will confront challenges faced by today’s entrepreneurs, ranging from business models and customer engagement to financial analysis and venture pitching. During this program, you will be assigned to a team and tasked with addressing one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. At the end of the academy, you and your team will present a pitch and showcase your solutions to a panel of industry judges. 

Location: Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ. 

Application Deadline: June 2 

Program Dates: June 24 – 27

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors. 

9. Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program

The Laboratory Learning Program offers students the chance to contribute to ongoing research projects under the mentorship of Princeton faculty and research personnel. The program has flexible participation dates to align with the schedules of research personnel and project requirements. It is important, however, to note that LLP students are not eligible for Princeton University housing. This free summer program is still an excellent opportunity for high schoolers to understand scientific inquiry and engineering innovation. This highly competitive program attracts a large pool of applicants, typically receiving over 700 submissions. 

Location: Princeton University’s campus in Princeton, New Jersey. 

Application Deadline: March 15

Program Dates: Research activities take place during normal business hours daily. Most opportunities require a commitment of at least 5 weeks during the summer. 

Eligibility: Must be 16 years old by June 15

10. Mercer County Student Internship Program

The Mercer County department's summer internship program offers a paid opportunity to cultivate practical skills and gain insights essential for academic success and professional growth. With a diverse range of internship positions available across departments, including Administration, Boards & Authorities, Constitutional Offices, and more, you can explore your interests while contributing to meaningful projects. Throughout the program, you will engage in career-oriented activities curated by the Mercer County Office of Personnel. These activities aim to teach you new techniques, refine existing skills, and guide you in exploring potential career trajectories in public administration. 

Location: Mercer County, NJ 

Application Deadline: April 30

Program Dates: High school students can begin their internship at the end of their school year, which typically occurs at the end of June. The last day for all students in the summer internship program is the Friday before Labor Day weekend.

Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old and either live or study in Mercer County can apply.

11. Newark Museum of Art’s Explorers Teen Program

The Explorers Program is designed to equip Newark-area high school students with the skills and self-confidence needed for college, career, and life readiness by drawing upon the Museum's rich collections, resources, and expertise. This program places an emphasis on self-discovery, helping you identify your strengths while honing skills as a public speaker, educator, researcher, and leader. As an Explorer, you will work within different Museum departments to lead projects. Additionally, you'll participate in workshops focused on leadership development, public speaking, and team building.

Location: Newark Museum, NJ.

Application Deadline: June 1

Program Dates: Orientation begins in October.

Eligibility: You must be a rising freshman, sophomore, junior attending a Newark school or residing in Newark.

Mandy Brenner is a current junior at Harvard University. She is concentrating in History and Literature and loves to read and write in her free time.

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