10 Finance Programs for Middle School Students

Getting involved in finance programs early on is a smart move, especially for middle school students looking to challenge themselves beyond the standard classroom. These programs offer more than just academic enrichment; they give you a chance to explore real-world skills like budgeting, investing, and business planning in a structured and engaging way. Many finance programs also mirror college-level content and campus life, helping you adjust to higher academic expectations while building confidence and independence. Plus, they usually come at a much lower cost compared to college summer courses or travel-heavy enrichment programs, and some are even fully funded.

If you're interested in the world of finance, an online or in-person summer program can be a great way to dive in without committing to anything long-term. But with so many options out there, not all finance programs are created equal. We've narrowed down a list of 10 standout finance programs for middle school students that are selective, rigorous, and hosted by respected institutions. Some of them offer real networking opportunities, connections with professionals in the field, and even mentorship from college students or alumni. Whether it’s a competitive program with a low acceptance rate or one that focuses on community-based learning, these opportunities are worth checking out if you want to get a head start in finance.

10 Finance Programs for Middle School Students

1. Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program

Dates: 8-week program

Application Deadline: August 24 (Fall Cohort)

Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8

Cost: Varies, financial aid available

Location: Virtual

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an intensive and highly selective research program providing middle school students the chance to undertake advanced research. The program provides 1-on-1 guidance from PhD mentors from top universities like Harvard, Columbia, and MIT. You are encouraged to pick your subject of interest, which can range anywhere from artificial intelligence to history. Over 8 weeks, this virtual program lets you dive deep into your chosen subject, build high-standard research skills, and complete your own project by the end. Beyond gaining specialized knowledge, you also build the confidence to think critically, innovate, and approach both theoretical and practical academic endeavors with independence. 

2. NYU College and Career Lab

Location: New York University, New York, NY

Cost: Free (includes meals and MTA transportation)

Dates: July 7 – August 1

Application Deadline: March 31

Eligibility: Current 7th and 8th grade students enrolled in NYC public schools

The NYU College & Career Lab (CCL) is a free, six-year academic enrichment program that introduces middle school students to college-level learning and career exploration. As a rising 8th or 9th grader, you'll enter the Exploratory Stage, where you’ll attend workshops, lectures, and hands-on classes led by NYU faculty. One of the highlights is a week at NYU Stern School of Business, where you’ll learn about core finance and business topics—like economics, accounting, and entrepreneurship—while meeting alumni working at major companies like Google and EY. In addition to classes, you’ll go on career-focused field trips and engage in daily campus life with meals and transportation provided. Throughout the school year, you’ll return for Saturday Practice Labs focused on college prep skills and career readiness. If you stay in the program, the Immersive Stage (starting in high school) offers deeper engagement through internships and more advanced coursework.

3. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers

Location: Virtual

Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8; no coding or technical background required

Application Deadline: August 31 (Fall Cohort); other sessions may be offered throughout the year

Program Dates:

• Weekend Track: 25 hours over 10 weekends

• Summer Track: 25 hours over 2 weeks (weekdays)

Cost: Varies, financial aid available

Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers program introduces you to core concepts in artificial intelligence and machine learning through live instruction and group collaboration. Over the course of 25 hours, you’ll learn Python programming, explore data analysis, and build models using regression and classification techniques. The program includes small-group mentoring (5:1 ratio), ensuring personalized guidance as you move through increasingly advanced topics, including neural networks and AI ethics. 

A major component is the team-based capstone project, where you and a few peers apply your new skills to a real-world challenge and present your findings. While the environment is designed for beginners, the curriculum pushes you to think critically about how AI works—and how it should be used.

4. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes

Location: Stanford University (Online)

Cost: $3,150 (financial aid available)

Dates: Session One: June 16–June 27; Session Two: July 7–July 18

Application Deadline: Application now closed (typically due in March)

Eligibility: Students currently in grades 8–11

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes is an intensive, two-week online program that allows academically motivated students to explore advanced topics not typically offered in school. With over 70 ungraded, non-credit courses, the program includes finance and business-oriented class options like Product Design. You’ll attend live sessions in small, seminar-style classes led by Stanford-affiliated instructors and collaborate with peers from around the world. Classes meet for two hours each weekday, with additional time set aside for office hours and about 1–2 hours of asynchronous assignments daily. Though the program doesn’t offer college credit, it provides deep exposure to university-level academics in a highly interactive setting. A certificate and written feedback are awarded upon completion.

5. UChicago Summer Lab

Location: University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, Chicago, IL

Cost: $460 (per session; no noted financial aid)

Dates: July 7 – July 18

Application Deadline: Registration now closed (typically opens in winter and closes by early summer)

Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–8

The Young Entrepreneurs course at UChicago’s Summer Lab gives middle school students a hands-on introduction to business and finance through a two-week project-based experience. In this session, you’ll walk through the full entrepreneurial process—from brainstorming a business idea to researching the market, identifying a target audience, and building a brand. By the end of the course, you'll develop a full business plan and pitch your product or service in a Shark Tank-style presentation. Taught by instructors from The Innovative Learners, the course emphasizes leadership, financial literacy, and clear communication. It’s designed to be practical and creative, making finance and business skills feel relevant and approachable. While not a selective program, it offers strong foundational experience for students curious about entrepreneurship in a university-affiliated setting.

6. Business & Entrepreneurship at Yale

Subject Areas: Entrepreneurship, Business Planning, Marketing, Financial Analysis

Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT (program independently operated by Summer Springboard)

Eligibility: Middle and high school students (typically rising 8th–12th graders)

Application Deadline: Rolling until full

Program Dates:

• Session 1: June 15 – June 27

• Session 2: June 29 – July 11

• Session 3: July 13 – July 25

Cost:

• Residential: $6,298 (includes lodging, meals, and excursions)

• Commuter: $3,498 (includes lunch, activities, and daily programming)

This two-week, in-person program introduces you to core areas of business through hands-on learning, case studies, and team-based startup simulations. You’ll explore business operations, product development, finance, and marketing, all while creating and pitching a startup idea alongside a small team. The course culminates in a Shark Tank–style pitch event, where students present their ventures to a panel of professionals for feedback.

The curriculum includes instruction from faculty with real-world entrepreneurial backgrounds, as well as guest speakers from companies like Goldman Sachs and McKinsey. While the program takes place on the Yale campus, it is not affiliated with or endorsed by the university. Still, it provides early exposure to business strategy, leadership, and financial planning within a high-level academic environment.

7. Cornell University – Money Matters: Stocks, Bonds, & Your Financial Future

Subject Areas: Finance, Business, Investing, Financial Literacy

Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–8

Application Deadline: Rolling until filled

Program Dates: July 13 – August 1 

Cost: Not publicly listed

Offered through Summer Discovery at Cornell, Money Matters is a three-week course that introduces you to key financial concepts through engaging, age-appropriate instruction. You’ll explore how businesses raise and manage capital, learn the basics of investing, and gain an understanding of financial markets, including the NYSE and NASDAQ. The curriculum covers topics like corporate financial analysis, commodities trading, credit, and personal financial planning. You’ll also participate in a virtual investing simulation to determine your risk tolerance and practice decision-making in a low-pressure setting. While not officially run by Cornell University, the course takes place on campus and includes a certificate of completion and a letter recognizing your academic effort.

8. International Summer School at Yale University

Subject Areas: Business, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Finance

Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT (hosted independently by ISSOS)

Eligibility: Students aged 13–18 with B2 English proficiency or higher

Application Deadline: Rolling until full

Program Dates: July 13 – August 3

Cost: £6,600

The ISSOS Business & Entrepreneurship program at Yale offers a three-week, immersive experience focused on building business knowledge and entrepreneurial thinking. Through interactive workshops, guest lectures, and project-based learning, you’ll explore marketing, finance, business modeling, and leadership. The course includes case studies of successful companies and practical sessions where you’ll develop and pitch your business idea.

By the end of the program, you’ll have the chance to present your project during a class session or participate in a "Dragons’ Den" event where student ventures are pitched to a panel. While the program takes place on the Yale campus, it operates independently and is not affiliated with the university itself. This setting still offers a glimpse of Ivy League life, paired with international peer collaboration and cultural excursions.

9. School District of Philadelphia Young Entrepreneurs

Location: Benjamin Franklin High School, Central High School, and Northeast High School, Philadelphia, PA

Cost: Free

Dates: June 24 – July 24

Application Deadline: Registration opens April 7; placement notifications sent by June 2

Eligibility: Current 8th-grade students enrolled in the School District of Philadelphia (entering 9th grade in fall)

The Young Entrepreneurs program offered by the School District of Philadelphia is a five-week summer experience designed to help rising 9th graders develop practical business skills while reinforcing core academic areas like math and English. As a participant, you’ll learn how to plan, launch, and promote a business through hands-on activities and workshops focused on financial literacy, marketing, and problem-solving. In addition to classroom instruction, you’ll complete externship hours that may count toward high school graduation requirements under Pennsylvania's Act 158 (Pathways 4 & 5). Although registration doesn’t guarantee admission, the program aims to match as many students as possible based on space and teacher availability.

10. Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY) Middle School Entrepreneurship

Location: Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, CA

Cost: $3,640 for CA residents; $4,160 for out-of-state students (does not include meals, housing, or required health services fee)

Dates: June 9 – June 20 

Application Deadline: March 1

Eligibility: Academically motivated students entering grades 6–8

The Middle School Entrepreneurship program at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business is an intensive, two-week commuter experience that introduces you to the real-world process of launching and managing a business. Through interactive sessions taught by Haas faculty, PhD candidates, and undergraduates, you’ll dive into business fundamentals including marketing, accounting, corporate social responsibility, and financial planning. As part of the program, you'll create your own business, work in teams, and present your final project in a showcase at the end.

You’ll also gain exposure to core business tools and concepts like SWOT analysis, customer targeting, and return on investment, all while developing communication, leadership, and teamwork skills. Guest speakers from the business world offer additional insight, and the program includes a guided tour of the UC Berkeley campus. This program is best suited for students who are self-motivated and ready to engage in a rigorous, hands-on learning environment.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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