15 Free Summer Internships for College Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 10 min read
Landing a summer internship as a college student is one of the most effective ways to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. Internships allow you to test-drive potential career paths while developing professional skills, gaining industry exposure, and forming connections that can shape your post-graduation trajectory. Online internships, in particular, have made these opportunities more accessible than ever, offering flexible, affordable, and global experiences without the cost of relocation. Internships offer opportunities to work on relevant projects, access mentorship, and gain insight into roles within the industry of your choice.
If you are trying to build your resume with meaningful work experience, exploring a selective internship is a great place to start. To help you navigate the many options out there, we have narrowed down 15 free summer internships for college students. We have focused on options that offer prestige, rigor of professional experience, and opportunities to network with leaders in their respective fields.Â
If you are looking for more prestigious internship options, check out our blogs here!
15 Free Summer Internships for College Students
Location:Â Remote
Cost:Â Varies; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective
Dates:Â 8 to 12 week sessions with varying dates; summer opportunities available
Application deadline:Â May/June for summer cohorts; spring, fall, and winter cohorts also available
Eligibility: Undergraduate and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours per week
The Ladder University Internship Program connects you with global startups and nonprofits across diverse industries for an immersive, remote experience. Over 8–12 weeks, you will work on a project that directly contributes to your assigned organization’s goals, from business development to marketing, product research, or design. Throughout the internship, you will collaborate closely with your startup manager on various deliverables, gaining experience in professional communication, problem-solving, and project management. The program concludes with a final presentation of your project, showcasing the real-world impact of your work.
Location:Â Washington, D.C., and various Department offices across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend:Â Free; stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Not specified
Dates:Â Vary by cycle; updates released periodically
Application deadline:Â Announced prior to each cycle, typically several months in advance
Eligibility:Â U.S. citizens enrolled at least half-time in a degree-granting program at an accredited college or university
The U.S. Department of State’s Student Internship Program offers students the opportunity to explore diplomacy and foreign affairs firsthand. As an intern, you will assist federal staff in advancing U.S. foreign policy while learning from professionals in the Foreign Service and Civil Service. Depending on your placement, your work might include attending high-level government meetings, drafting official reports or communications, supporting international conferences, and engaging with both U.S. and global audiences. The program can provide meaningful insight into how policy decisions are made and executed while helping you develop skills in analysis, communication, and international relations.
Location:Â Multiple Goldman Sachs U.S. offices, including New York, NY
Cost/Stipend:Â Free; compensation available
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Highly selective, approximately 0.7%
Dates:Â Summer, 9 to 10 weeks
Application deadline:Â Rolling
Eligibility: Students pursuing a bachelor’s or graduate degree; may apply to up to four division/location combinations
The Goldman Sachs Summer Analyst Program offers college students a chance to gain hands-on experience in one of the world’s leading financial institutions. Over 9–10 weeks, you will be fully immersed in the firm’s work culture, moving from orientation and technical training to working directly with teams on live projects. Depending on the assigned division, you could contribute to financial modeling, market analysis, risk assessment, or product strategy. The program includes networking events, professional mentorship, and skill-building workshops, all designed to help you understand the complexities of global finance and prepare for a potential full-time role after graduation.
Location:Â The New York Times Headquarters, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend:Â Free; stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective; exact details not publicly disclosed
Dates:Â Summer, 10 weeks
Application deadline:Â October 25
Eligibility:Â Students in degree-seeking programs, students from non-conventional backgrounds such as boot camps and associate programs, and recent graduates
The New York Times Summer Internship Program is an opportunity to work at a leading media organization. Over the course of 10 weeks, you will join teams in areas such as Technology, Product & Design, Data, Marketing, or Advertising, contributing directly to ongoing projects that shape how news and stories are told. You will attend professional development sessions, speaker events with senior editors and executives, and collaborative workshops that explore the future of digital journalism. The program can help you explore how innovation, storytelling, and technology intersect with modern media.
Location:Â Morgan Stanley Headquarters, New York, NY, or other U.S. offices
Cost/Stipend:Â Free; stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective
Dates:Â Summer, 9 to 10 weeks
Application deadline:Â Varies by division
Eligibility:Â College students; requirements vary by role
A summer internship at Morgan Stanley can offer you a firsthand look into the fast-paced world of global finance. Over 9–10 weeks, you will take part in structured training and gain hands-on experience in fields such as trading, investment banking, technology, or wealth management. You will work alongside seasoned professionals on live projects, whether it’s analyzing markets, supporting client strategies, or developing digital tools. Opportunities like Morgan Stanley’s Institutional Equity Derivatives Trading & Structuring internship in New York provide exposure to real market dynamics while offering mentorship, networking events, and speaker sessions that help you explore long-term career paths within the firm.
Location:Â FBI Headquarters and Field Offices in the U.S.
Cost/Stipend:Â None
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Not specified
Dates:Â June to August
Application deadline:Â October; applications open in August
Eligibility:Â Students enrolled full-time at a U.S.-accredited institution entering junior or senior year, or in graduate, JD, or Ph.D. programs with a minimum 3.0 GPA and U.S. citizenship; must pass background check and qualify for Top Secret clearance
The FBI Honors Internship Program is a summer opportunity designed for students interested in federal law enforcement and intelligence work. During the program, you will spend 10 weeks at an FBI field office or at headquarters in Washington, D.C., contributing to projects in criminal justice, cybersecurity, forensics, intelligence analysis, and operational support. You’ll gain insight into how the Bureau protects national security and combats crime while working alongside agents, analysts, and other professionals. For many students, this internship also serves as a pathway to a full-time career with the FBI after graduation.
Location:Â Remote
Cost/Stipend:Â Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Not specified
Dates:Â Academic year internships; ~10 hours per week
Application deadline:Â Varies annually; applications typically open in the summer
Eligibility:Â High school graduates enrolled in a degree-seeking undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral program; U.S. citizens
VSFS is a unique way to contribute to U.S. government projects without leaving your campus or home. During the remote internship, you will collaborate with federal agencies on initiatives involving data visualization, digital communications, app development, public policy research, and more. The program emphasizes flexibility, allowing you to balance academic and professional responsibilities while gaining insight into how federal agencies operate. Although unpaid, VSFS provides valuable experience in public service, mentorship from federal professionals, and the opportunity to make tangible contributions to government programs.
Location:Â JPMorgan Chase offices across the U.S. and internationally, including New York, Chicago, London, Bengaluru, etc.
Cost/Stipend:Â Free; stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Approximately 0.9%
Dates:Â June to August
Application deadline:Â Varies by role
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in their next-to-last year; some roles open to master’s, MBA, and Ph.D. students
The JPMorgan Chase Summer Analyst Program offers you the opportunity to explore the inner workings of a leading financial institution. Over the course of 10–12 weeks, you will work within divisions like Investment Banking and Wealth Management, Software Engineering, or Data Science, contributing directly to JPMorgan’s operations. You will gain technical and analytical experience through collaborative projects, mentorship, and training offered by industry experts. You may work on market analysis, software solutions, or client strategy initiatives, depending on your placement. Designed to build both professional and leadership skills, this internship often serves as a pathway to a full-time role at the firm.
Location:Â The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
Cost/Stipend:Â $24/hour plus $1,500 housing/travel stipend for full-time MuSe interns
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective
Dates:Â June 2 to August 7
Application deadline:Â January 14
Eligibility:Â Undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors; graduate students; recent graduates; Ph.D. students
The Met’s MuSe Internship Program gives you an inside look at the workings of a museum. Over the course of 10 weeks, you will collaborate with staff in departments like Curatorial, Education, Conservation, Digital Media, and Administration while contributing to active projects and attending professional development workshops. You will also participate in weekly seminars and networking events with museum professionals. With both full- and part-time options available, this internship provides flexibility while offering hands-on experience in the arts and museum fields.
Location:Â Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend:Â Free; $3,000 stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective
Dates:Â Approximately 10 weeks, typically June to August
Application deadline:Â Early February
Eligibility:Â Undergraduate students; some divisions require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
The Johns Hopkins Summer Internship Program provides undergraduates with an immersive research experience in the fields of biomedical and public health. As an intern, you will work closely with faculty mentors, engaging in projects that parallel graduate-level research. You will gain experience in conducting experiments, analyzing data, and participating in lab meetings. The program offers lab/research training and professional development opportunities, giving you the chance to build technical expertise and scientific reasoning skills. You will attend formal meetings throughout the program to discuss your research progress with your assigned team.
Location:Â University of Pennsylvania, PA
Cost/Stipend:Â Paid on a monthly basis
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â 8 students
Dates:Â May 31 to August 7
Application deadline:Â January 11
Eligibility:Â First- to third-year full-time undergraduate students at accredited institutions, minimum 3.3 GPA, U.S. citizens or permanent residents
MindCORE, UPenn’s hub for studying intelligence and behavior in humans, offers a paid 10-week summer research internship to undergraduates interested in cognitive science. Here, you will work on a research project at the university lab under the guidance of a mentor. In the first week, you will attend introductory sessions covering interdisciplinary research in cognitive science and then undergo training in research ethics and technical skills. You will also participate in journal club meetings, research seminars, lab tours, informal group check-ins, and professional development opportunities. You will submit a final poster or deliver a presentation describing your summer research at the end of the program.
Location:Â Remote and hybrid, varies by department
Cost/Stipend:Â Free; stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Not specified
Dates:Â Summer; exact dates vary by department and role
Application deadline:Â Varies by department
Eligibility:Â Undergraduates, graduate students, or law students, depending on the internship
ACLU gives you the opportunity to work at the intersection of law, policy, and social advocacy. As an intern, you may assist with legal research, communications strategy, public education campaigns, or policy analysis on issues like voting rights, criminal justice reform, or privacy. You will collaborate with staff attorneys, advocates, and communications professionals who are advancing civil liberties nationwide. The program blends professional development with hands-on advocacy experience, offering a foundation for pursuing careers in law, government, or nonprofit work.
Location: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend:Â Free; $5,000 stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective; 30 students annually
Dates:Â June 1 to August 7
Application deadline:Â January 31 (tentative); applications open in December
Eligibility:Â Full-time sophomores, juniors, and seniors at accredited four-year colleges, minimum 3.3 GPA, U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The CRISSP program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia offers undergraduates the chance to take part in pediatric research under expert mentorship. Here, you will design and carry out your own research project within basic science, clinical, or behavioral health areas while gaining technical and analytical skills essential for medical or academic careers. The program combines hands-on lab or clinical work with structured workshops, research seminars, and optional clinical shadowing experiences. At the end of the summer engagement, you will present your findings to faculty and peers, highlighting your summer research experiences and understanding of child health and biomedical science.
Location:Â Feminist Majority offices, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $16–$25/hour stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Not specified
Dates:Â Spring: January to May; Summer: June to August; Fall: September to December
Application deadline:Â Rolling basis
Eligibility:Â Undergraduate students of all majors with strong academic standing and interest in feminist advocacy and gender equity
The Feminist Majority Foundation Internship immerses college students in hands-on feminist advocacy and policy work. You will collaborate with peers and foundation members on national and international initiatives related to women’s political participation, reproductive rights, gender-based violence, and human rights. Depending on your focus area, you may conduct policy research, assist with communications, help organize events and rallies, or contribute to ongoing legislative campaigns. You will also attend coalition meetings and advocacy briefings, gaining practical insight into how public policy and activism intersect. The program offers flexible scheduling and the opportunity to engage directly with leaders advancing gender justice and equality.
Location:Â Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C. (hybrid or remote work available)
Cost/Stipend:Â No cost; stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â 150 students
Dates: Approximately 12 weeks per term—Fall, Spring, or Summer
Application deadline:Â Varies by term and department
Eligibility: Current undergraduate and master’s students; recent graduates may be considered for select placements
As an intern at the nonprofit Brookings Institution, you will gain firsthand experience in policy research and public affairs while working alongside experts at one of the world’s most influential think tanks. You will have the opportunity to analyze economic data, draft policy briefs, assist with event coordination, or support ongoing research in areas such as foreign policy or governance. The program also includes professional development sessions and internal networking opportunities, offering you insights into how policy ideas are developed, debated, and implemented in Washington, D.C.
One other option—Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you want to pursue independent research under the guidance of a mentor, consider applying to Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, which are selective programs founded in partnership with Harvard and Oxford researchers. In the past, 4,000+ students applied for just 500 spots in the research program. You can learn about the application and available programs on the application form here.
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Also, you can check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation—a non-profit research program for talented low-income students. Last year, it offered 150 students full need-based financial assistance.
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 in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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