Summer 2027 For high school students

Free summer programs for high school students in 2027

This list requires source-supported free participation. Free tuition may still leave travel, housing, materials or application expenses.

Planning for 2027. Check the year on dates and prices, then confirm the current application window on the official site.

No paid placements. Listings are ranked by fit, never by payment. Methodology.

Showing 1 to 12 of 40 matching programs. Ordered by name.

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Catalog facts retain their cycle. Check the official sources before applying or paying. On a phone, scroll the table sideways.

Selected programs, application facts and official sources
Program factsSMASH ResidentialRemoveUPMC Hillman Cancer Center AcademyRemoveKentucky Governor's School for Entrepreneurs Summer StartupRemove
Application deadlineUnconfirmed — check official siteUnconfirmed — check official siteUnconfirmed — check official site
CostCatalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official siteLast year's cycle (2026): Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official siteCatalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Financial aidUnconfirmed — check official siteUnconfirmed — check official siteUnconfirmed — check official site
Expenses and aid conditionsCatalog terms: Residential university housing: $0. Scholars live in campus dormitories as part of the 100%-free residential program.; Residential-session meals: $0. The organizer describes scholars eating in the dining hall within the 100%-free experience.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official siteUnconfirmed — check official siteUnconfirmed — check official site
Stipend or payUnconfirmed — check official siteUnconfirmed — check official siteUnconfirmed — check official site
EligibilityGrades 10–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higherGrades 9–12; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official siteGrades 9–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher
Additional eligibilityResidency: Preference for students at target schools or living within the published radius of Atlanta, Boston, Detroit/Ann Arbor, or Bay Area sites; Requirement: Minimum 3.0 GPA or equivalent; Requirement: Be in grade 10 or 11 when applying; Requirement: Demonstrate strong grade-level mathematics skills through state-standardized scores; Requirement: Attend a public high school or a private high school through scholarship; Requirement: Show strong interest in a computer-science degree or certification and a CS career; Requirement: Meet site-specific gender eligibility: male for Morehouse and female for Spelman; Exclusion: Applicants who do not meet every published requirement; SMASH states that there are no eligibility exceptionsMinimum age 15; Requirement: Be enrolled in high school during the application academic year and remain in good academic standing; Requirement: Be at least 15 by the program start for CompBio, CoSBBI, or Surgery computational placements; Requirement: Be at least 16 by the program start for wet-lab Cancer Biology, TDX, Pathobiology, ICI, VISION, or WCRC placements; Requirement: Graduating seniors must not be enrolled in college courses during the summer program; Requirement: Commit to the full seven-to-eight-week, 30-35-hour weekly schedule and mandatory first and final weeks; Requirement: Arrange housing and transportation for any in-person or hybrid placement; Requirement: Meet site-specific safety, health, onboarding, vaccine, confidentiality, and research requirements; Exclusion: Applicants younger than 15 by the program start are ineligible; students younger than 16 are limited to computational sites; Exclusion: A graduating senior taking college courses during the program is ineligible under the published 2026 rule; Exclusion: A job, sport, vacation, or other summer program cannot interfere with required Hillman hours; Exclusion: Remote or hybrid work is not available for every research site or project; Exclusion: Need-based compensation is not automatic for all admitted studentsResidency: Kentucky student; Requirement: Be in grade 9, 10, or 11 at application under current published scope; Requirement: Show entrepreneurial curiosity, creativity, drive, resilience, collaboration, flexibility, and comfort with risk/failure; Requirement: Commit to live on campus and participate every day for all three weeks; Requirement: Obtain parent/guardian permission and two eligible recommendations; Exclusion: GPA and standardized-test scores are not considered; Exclusion: Applicants do not apply with a fixed team or need a pre-existing business idea; Exclusion: Absence is allowed only for emergency, illness, or overriding personal reason under program decisions; Exclusion: Completion does not guarantee college admission, scholarship funding, business launch, patent, prize, or investment
Session dates or durationCatalog terms: 3 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official siteLast year's cycle (2026): Starts June 15, 2026; Ends July 31, 2026; 7–8 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official siteCatalog terms: 3 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
FormatIn personIn person / Online / HybridIn person
Housing and supervisionResidential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official siteNon-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official siteResidential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site
LocationAtlanta, Berkeley, Boston, Ann Arbor, Georgia, California, Massachusetts, MichiganPittsburgh, Pennsylvania for most sites; limited remote or hybrid computational placements are site-specificLexington, Kentucky, University of Kentucky Gatton College; statewide Kentucky cohort
Selection and applicationSelection: Applicants must satisfy all published requirements, and geographic preferences apply; the current pages do not publish applicant counts or an acceptance rate.Selection: Competitive application reviewed for site fit, preparation, essays, references, and available mentors; the public pages do not publish a universal acceptance rate. Application materials: Two application essaysSelection: Holistic statewide selection without GPA/test-score review; no current acceptance rate is published. Application materials: Two recommendations from eligible non-family/non-friend adults
Official sourcesSource 1 · checked 2026-08-21Source 2 · checked 2026-08-21Source 3 · checked 2026-08-21Source 1 · checked 2026-08-21Source 2 · checked 2026-08-21Source 3 · checked 2026-08-21Source 4 · checked 2026-08-21Source 5 · checked 2026-08-20Source 1 · checked 2026-08-22Source 2 · checked 2026-08-22Source 3 · checked 2026-08-22Source 4 · checked 2026-08-20

Catalog programs to compare

  • Arkansas Governor's School, Arkansas Tech University

    Arkansas Governor's School

    Arkansas Governor's School is a four-week residential, non-credit programme for Arkansas students who are currently juniors and will enter senior year.

    Application deadline
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Cost
    Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Session dates or duration
    Catalog terms: 4 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    In person
    Location
    Russellville, Arkansas
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grade 11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher

    Arkansas resident

    Housing: Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Selection: Selection considers aptitude, motivation and maturity.

    Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
    All requirements, expenses and sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Catalog terms: Residential room: $0. State-funded programme component, not a promise of all-in attendance expense coverage.; Board: $0. State-funded programme component, not a promise of all-in attendance expense coverage.; Instructional materials: $0. State-funded programme component, not a promise of all-in attendance expense coverage.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Residency: Arkansas resident; Requirement: Current Arkansas high-school junior entering senior year; public/private school or homeschool.; Requirement: Full attendance required; graduating before attendance or concurrent outside programmes are incompatible.

    Selection and application: Selection: Selection considers aptitude, motivation and maturity.

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  • ASM Materials Education Foundation

    ASM Materials Camps - Students

    ASM's free, site-specific hands-on camps serve high-school juniors and seniors; all dated 2026 camps are past, deadlines vary locally, and 2027 is unannounced.

    Application deadline
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Cost
    Last year's cycle (2026): Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Session dates or duration
    Catalog terms: 0–1 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    In person
    Location
    Multiple host cities, Universities, laboratories, industry sites, schools, and ASM headquarters, Residential, commuter, and mini-camp formats vary by site
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grades 11–12; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Site-specific; the 2026 schedule included United States and international hosts

    Housing: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Selection: Space is limited and host-specific. Eisenman reviews a transcript, recommendations, and personal essay; other locations may use different selection methods.

    Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
    All requirements, expenses and sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Last year's cycle (2026): Eisenman hotel lodging: $0. Included for the completed 2026 Eisenman camp; other sites and future cycles must be checked separately.; Eisenman meals: $0. Included for the completed 2026 Eisenman camp.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Residency: Site-specific; the 2026 schedule included United States and international hosts; Requirement: Be entering high-school grade 11 or 12 for the flagship Eisenman camp; Requirement: Show strong ability or aptitude in mathematics and science; Requirement: Meet the chosen host site's current application and attendance rules

    Selection and application: Selection: Space is limited and host-specific. Eisenman reviews a transcript, recommendations, and personal essay; other locations may use different selection methods. Application materials: For 2026 Eisenman: no more than two recommendation letters; For 2026 Eisenman: personal essay of at least 100 words explaining fit and expected college, major, and career plans if known

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  • Arizona State University W. P. Carey School of Business

    ASU Fleischer Scholars Program

    Free strategic-thinking and college/business access program for Arizona high-school juniors; the completed 2026 cohort was virtual and 2027 is not posted.

    Application deadline
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Cost
    Last year's cycle (2026): Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Session dates or duration
    Catalog terms: 1 week; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    Online
    Location
    Arizona eligibility; remote 2026 programming with ASU/W. P. Carey staff and mentors
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grade 11; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Attend an Arizona high school as a junior

    Housing: Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Selection: ASU says places are limited and considers leadership/service, academics, financial need and first-generation status. No current cohort size, applicant count or acceptance rate is published.

    Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
    All requirements, expenses and sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Last year's cycle (2026): Fleischer Scholars application: $0. No fee is stated.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Residency: Attend an Arizona high school as a junior; Requirement: Be an Arizona high-school junior during the application cycle; Requirement: Demonstrate leadership, community service and academic effort; Requirement: Explain hardship/learning mindset in a short response; Requirement: Be ready for virtual participation and mentor engagement under the current model; Exclusion: The program is not a general national pre-college business camp; Exclusion: Financial need and first-generation status are selection factors, not stated absolute eligibility cutoffs; Exclusion: Historical residential or college-credit features are not promised for the next cohort

    Selection and application: Selection: ASU says places are limited and considers leadership/service, academics, financial need and first-generation status. No current cohort size, applicant count or acceptance rate is published. Application materials: Optional teacher or other academic-professional recommendation

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  • University of Washington Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering

    Changemakers in Computing (CiC)

    A free four-week UW Seattle program for Washington rising juniors/seniors combining introductory coding, technology ethics, college support, mentors, meals, and a USD 1,200 stipend; 2026 is closed.

    Application deadline
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Cost
    Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Session dates or duration
    Catalog terms: 4 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    In person
    Location
    Seattle, University of Washington Seattle campus
    Stipend or pay
    Catalog terms: Mentee stipend: $1,200; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grades 10–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher

    Must be a Washington State resident and enrolled in a Washington State high school

    Housing: Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Selection: Every on-time application is reviewed equally, but UW does not publish seats, applicant totals, or an acceptance rate.

    Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
    All requirements, expenses and sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Residency: Must be a Washington State resident and enrolled in a Washington State high school; Requirement: Be in grade 10 or 11 when applying, entering grade 11 or 12 in fall; Requirement: Be interested in technology, society, justice, and changemaking; Requirement: Be able to travel to UW Seattle Monday-Thursday; Requirement: Commit to the full four-week program; no coding background required; Exclusion: Students outside Washington or not enrolled at a Washington high school are ineligible; Exclusion: CiC does not provide housing; Exclusion: Historical 2026 rules may change for 2027

    Selection and application: Selection: Every on-time application is reviewed equally, but UW does not publish seats, applicant totals, or an acceptance rate.

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  • University of Delaware Undergraduate Admissions

    College Readiness Scholars Institute (CRSI)

    Free residential college preparation and school-year sessions for eligible Delaware students entering grades 9–12. The 2027 application is open; April 15 is a priority milestone.

    Application deadline
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Cost
    Free attendance; check separate expenses (2027 cycle)
    Session dates or duration
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    In person
    Location
    Newark, Delaware
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grades 8–11; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Delaware resident; First-generation immediate-family college status or qualifying low income

    Housing: Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
    All requirements, expenses and sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Residency: Delaware resident; Requirement: Rise to grades 9-12 for the programme; Requirement: Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5; Requirement: First-generation immediate-family college status or qualifying low income; Requirement: Attend the required full-time summer session and orientation

    Selection and application: Application materials: Recommendation form; 30-60 second video essay

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  • Texas McCombs School of Business, The University of Texas at Austin

    Discover Yourself in Accounting Majors and Careers (DYNAMC)

    Free six-day UT Austin accounting and business exploration for current Texas high-school sophomores and juniors, June 20-25, 2027; confirm application availability under the conflicting closed banner.

    Application deadline
    February 1, 2027 (2027 cycle)
    Cost
    Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Session dates or duration
    Catalog terms: 1 week; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    In person
    Location
    Austin, Texas, University of Texas at Austin campus and scheduled Austin or corporate program sites
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grades 10–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher

    Current Texas high-school student; Be available for the entire six-day residential program, family orientation, dorm stay, classes, team work, case competition, networking, and closing activities

    Housing: Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Selection: McCombs describes desired qualities but publishes no current applicant count, cohort size, acceptance rate, fixed GPA cutoff, identity quota, geographic quota, scoring rubric, interview process, or waitlist policy. Historical cohort figures must not be treated as a future guarantee.

    Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
    All requirements, expenses and sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Catalog terms: On-campus boarding: $0. Funders cover boarding in the latest published cycle; room type, deposit, damage, linen, accessibility, and early-arrival terms await the next cycle.; Program food: $0. Funders cover food; exact meal plan, snacks, travel-day meals, allergies, and dietary accommodations are not published for 2027.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Residency: Current Texas high-school student; Requirement: Be a current high-school sophomore or junior during the application cycle; Requirement: Demonstrate interest in business, accounting, and/or leadership development; Requirement: Present a strong academic record and personal achievement in context; no universal GPA cutoff is published; Requirement: Complete the official online application, transcript, activities and leadership section, essay or essays, and recommendation by the announced deadline; Requirement: Be available for the entire six-day residential program, family orientation, dorm stay, classes, team work, case competition, networking, and closing activities; Requirement: Be prepared to work respectfully with students of varied backgrounds and follow UT, McCombs, housing, minor, conduct, safety, privacy, and academic-integrity rules; Exclusion: Students who are not current high-school sophomores or juniors under the next cycle's classification rule; Exclusion: Missing or late required transcript, essay, recommendation, activity, leadership, consent, or verification materials; Exclusion: Inability to attend the full residential session without an approved accommodation; Exclusion: Assuming first-generation status, hardship, identity, Texas residence, strong grades, early application, or accounting experience guarantees selection; Exclusion: Treating the encouragement of first-generation and hardship-affected applicants as an exclusion of other backgrounds; Exclusion: Using unverified third-party 2027 dates or deadline as official; Exclusion: Assuming participation confers UT or McCombs admission, academic credit, scholarship, internship, or employment

    Selection and application: Selection: McCombs describes desired qualities but publishes no current applicant count, cohort size, acceptance rate, fixed GPA cutoff, identity quota, geographic quota, scoring rubric, interview process, or waitlist policy. Historical cohort figures must not be treated as a future guarantee. Application materials: One or more essays following the current prompts and word limits; One letter of recommendation from an eligible recommender under current instructions

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  • Elon University Center for Access and Success

    Elon Academy

    Free, selective multi-year college-access program for eligible Alamance-area ninth graders; the next application cycle is not announced.

    Application deadline
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Cost
    Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Session dates or duration
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    In person
    Location
    Elon, Alamance County and Alamance-Burlington School System, North Carolina
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grade 9 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher

    Reside in Alamance County or attend a school in the Alamance-Burlington School System; Commit to the complete residential summer sessions, monthly Saturday programming, and ongoing communication

    Housing: Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Selection: Competitive local cohort of fewer than 30 ninth graders per year; Elon does not publish applicant totals, acceptance rate, score weights, or a guaranteed academic threshold.

    Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
    All requirements, expenses and sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Residency: Reside in Alamance County or attend a school in the Alamance-Burlington School System; Requirement: Be a current ninth grader when applying; later entry as a sophomore is not offered; Requirement: Reside in Alamance County or attend school in the Alamance-Burlington School System; Requirement: Be first-generation under Elon's definition and/or demonstrate financial need; Requirement: Show academic promise, character, hard work, growth, and a desire to pursue higher education; Requirement: Student and parent/guardian complete their own application sections; Requirement: If advanced, complete the essay, in-person group interview, and individual interview; Requirement: Commit to the complete residential summer sessions, monthly Saturday programming, and ongoing communication; Exclusion: Open-enrollment applicants outside the Alamance/ABSS service area; Exclusion: Students seeking to join after ninth grade; Exclusion: Partial summer attendance without program approval; Exclusion: Assuming participation guarantees Elon admission, another college admission, college funding, or a scholarship

    Selection and application: Selection: Competitive local cohort of fewer than 30 ninth graders per year; Elon does not publish applicant totals, acceptance rate, score weights, or a guaranteed academic threshold. Application materials: Essay for selected applicants; In-person group interview and individual interview for finalists

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  • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

    Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)

    Eight-week paid Seattle biomedical internship for Greater Seattle rising seniors age 16+; 2026 ended and 2027 details arrive in November.

    Application deadline
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Cost
    Last year's cycle (2026): Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Session dates or duration
    Catalog terms: 8 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    In person
    Location
    Seattle, Greater Seattle and surrounding areas
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grade 11; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Minimum age 16; Currently reside in Greater Seattle or surrounding areas

    Housing: Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Selection: Fred Hutch calls SHIP highly competitive and uses applicant materials, two recommendations, and Zoom interviews; applicant volume, cohort size, acceptance rate, and detailed rubric are not published.

    Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
    All requirements, expenses and sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Last year's cycle (2026): Greater Seattle ORCA transit card: $0. A free ORCA card is provided, but interns remain responsible for securing their own daily transportation.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Minimum age 16; Residency: Currently reside in Greater Seattle or surrounding areas; Requirement: Have completed the equivalent of 11th grade but not yet graduated; Requirement: Enter the final year of high school immediately after the summer program; Requirement: Be at least 16 by the program start; Requirement: Show strong scientific interest and academic background; Requirement: Be available for a Zoom selection interview; Requirement: Commit to the complete eight-week, up-to-40-hours-per-week Seattle schedule; Requirement: Secure personal housing and local transportation; Exclusion: Out-of-state students are not accepted; Exclusion: International students are not accepted; Exclusion: Current graduating seniors and students who are not yet rising seniors are not eligible; Exclusion: Late or incomplete applications or missing recommendation forms are not considered; Exclusion: Program is designed for students without extensive prior research experience; Exclusion: Interns under 18 cannot handle hazardous materials

    Selection and application: Selection: Fred Hutch calls SHIP highly competitive and uses applicant materials, two recommendations, and Zoom interviews; applicant volume, cohort size, acceptance rate, and detailed rubric are not published. Application materials: Four short-response essays of up to 200 words each; Two evaluator-completed online recommendation forms submitted by the deadline; Zoom selection interview if invited

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  • Georgia Governor's Office of Education and Workforce Strategy

    Georgia Governor's Honors Program

    Georgia's free four-week residential enrichment program for nominated sophomores and juniors, with advanced study in one of 20+ academic, engineering, language, or arts areas.

    Application deadline
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Cost
    Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Session dates or duration
    Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 14, 2026; Ends July 11, 2026; 4 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    In person
    Location
    Statesboro, Georgia
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grades 10–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher

    No citizenship restriction published; Enrolled in or homeschooled in Georgia; Nominated through a Georgia public district, independent school, or state charter; Commit to every day of the four-week residential program

    Housing: Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Selection: Local schools/districts nominate through their own fair, disability-compliant processes; state content experts score applications; selected semifinalists interview or audition; finalists and alternates follow. More than 4,000 are nominated annually and approximately 20% or fewer attend. Local quotas, area rubrics, annual cohort size, and alternate movement vary.

    Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
    All requirements, expenses and sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Catalog terms: Residential room: $0. Provided for the four-week program.; Residential board: $0. Provided by the program.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Citizenship: No citizenship restriction published; Residency: Enrolled in or homeschooled in Georgia; Residency: Nominated through a Georgia public district, independent school, or state charter; Requirement: Be a current sophomore or junior; Requirement: Choose only one nomination subject; Requirement: Show exceptional skill, knowledge, creativity, maturity, and sustained interest in that area; Requirement: Complete the local selection process and obtain institutional nomination; Requirement: Complete the state application, recommendation, and transcript request; Requirement: Attend the assigned semifinalist interview or audition if selected; Requirement: Commit to every day of the four-week residential program; Exclusion: Students may not self-nominate directly to the state; Exclusion: A student may attend GHP only once; Exclusion: No numerical GPA or standardized-test cutoff is published; Exclusion: Standardized test results are not required; Exclusion: Leaving early or arriving late normally disqualifies or dismisses a participant except rare approved emergencies

    Selection and application: Selection: Local schools/districts nominate through their own fair, disability-compliant processes; state content experts score applications; selected semifinalists interview or audition; finalists and alternates follow. More than 4,000 are nominated annually and approximately 20% or fewer attend. Local quotas, area rubrics, annual cohort size, and alternate movement vary. Application materials: One recommendation from a teacher, professor, tutor, mentor, or other person who can address the nomination area; Area-specific essays, work samples, portfolio, performance materials, or other requirements; Semifinalist interview or audition if invited

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  • State of New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education; Drew University; Rutgers University

    Governor's School of New Jersey (Sciences and Engineering & Technology)

    Tuition-free New Jersey residential STEM umbrella with two school-nominated programs after junior year: Sciences at Drew and Engineering & Technology at Rutgers; the 2026 cycle is complete.

    Application deadline
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Cost
    Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Session dates or duration
    Catalog terms: 3–4 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    In person
    Location
    Madison, New Jersey, Piscataway/New Brunswick, New Jersey, Drew University and Rutgers University campuses
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grade 11; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site

    New Jersey resident; Commit to the entire demanding residential session without conflicting classes, employment, or programs; Meet branch-specific coursework, test, document, health, conduct, and residential requirements

    Housing: Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Selection: Selection occurs first within the high school and then at the host. Recent host sources report approximately 20%-25% admission among school nominees, with exact cohort size driven by facilities and funding.

    Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
    All requirements, expenses and sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Catalog terms: GSET room and board: $0. Sponsored for admitted Rutgers GSET scholars; do not transfer this source wording to every future branch without confirmation.; GSET key and swipe-card deposit: $65. Presented at the start and returned uncashed when keys and cards are returned.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Residency: New Jersey resident; Requirement: Be a high-school junior in the application year and complete junior year before the summer session; Requirement: Receive the high school's limited nomination for the selected branch; Requirement: Demonstrate exceptional achievement and sustained interest in science, mathematics, engineering, or technology; Requirement: Commit to the entire demanding residential session without conflicting classes, employment, or programs; Requirement: Meet branch-specific coursework, test, document, health, conduct, and residential requirements; Exclusion: Direct self-application without a school nomination; Exclusion: Applying to both branches when the current packet or school rules prohibit it; Exclusion: Treating typical top-5% rank, 90th-percentile scores, honors courses, or historical admission rates as absolute statewide guarantees; Exclusion: Claiming current arts, humanities, or international-studies Governor's School branches; Exclusion: Assuming GSS and GSET have identical essays, recommendations, curriculum, dates, preparation, deposits, or credit policies

    Selection and application: Selection: Selection occurs first within the high school and then at the host. Recent host sources report approximately 20%-25% admission among school nominees, with exact cohort size driven by facilities and funding. Application materials: Branch-specific essays; Teacher recommendations; GSS specifically requires one science and one mathematics or computer-science letter

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  • GrubStreet Young Adult Writers Program (YAWP)

    GrubStreet Teen Summer Writing Fellowship

    Free, selective three-week Boston writing fellowship for local students entering grades 9-12, with mentorship, publication, meals, and an $800 completion stipend in 2026.

    Application deadline
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Cost
    Last year's cycle (2026): Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Session dates or duration
    Last year's cycle (2026): Starts July 20, 2026; Ends August 7, 2026; 3–4 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    In person
    Location
    Boston, Massachusetts, GrubStreet Center for Creative Writing, 50 Liberty Drive, Suite 500, Boston Seaport
    Stipend or pay
    Last year's cycle (2026): 2026 successful completion stipend: $800; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grades 9–12; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site

    For 2026, both live and attend school in Suffolk, Norfolk, Middlesex, Essex, or Plymouth County, Massachusetts; Boston residents prioritized

    Housing: Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Selection: Twenty fellows and a short alternate list were selected in 2026. GrubStreet publishes no applicant count, acceptance rate, scoring rubric, or guaranteed future cohort size.

    Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
    All requirements, expenses and sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Last year's cycle (2026): Core-program lunch and snacks: $0. Provided during the 2026 core program; dietary coverage and future availability should be confirmed.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Residency: For 2026, both live and attend school in Suffolk, Norfolk, Middlesex, Essex, or Plymouth County, Massachusetts; Boston residents prioritized; Requirement: Enter grade 9, 10, 11, or 12 in the fall after the fellowship; Requirement: Show an active creative-writing practice in any eligible genre and willingness to experiment across genres; Requirement: Attend the full weekday three-week core, daily writing and workshop sessions, Friday open mics, and culminating showcase; Requirement: Give and receive constructive peer feedback and complete the fellowship's writing, performance, conduct, and community requirements; Requirement: Observe the every-other-year limit and maximum of one participation in each grade band; Exclusion: Applicants outside the controlling local residence-and-school counties; Exclusion: Academic essays in place of the required creative-writing sample; Exclusion: Repeat attendance in consecutive years or more than once in the same incoming grade band; Exclusion: Acceptance does not guarantee the stipend without successful completion; Exclusion: The optional anthology week is not a substitute for the core fellowship

    Selection and application: Selection: Twenty fellows and a short alternate list were selected in 2026. GrubStreet publishes no applicant count, acceptance rate, scoring rubric, or guaranteed future cohort size. Application materials: Personal statement of no more than 600 words about what the applicant would gain and contribute; Teacher or mentor name and contact information, but no recommendation letter was listed

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  • Kentucky Governor's School for Entrepreneurs

    Kentucky Governor's School for Entrepreneurs Summer Startup

    Free three-week residential startup program for Kentucky students in grades 9–11; summer 2026 is complete and the next application is unannounced.

    Application deadline
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Cost
    Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Session dates or duration
    Catalog terms: 3 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    In person
    Location
    Lexington, Kentucky, University of Kentucky Gatton College; statewide Kentucky cohort
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grades 9–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher

    Kentucky student; Obtain parent/guardian permission and two eligible recommendations

    Housing: Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Selection: Holistic statewide selection without GPA/test-score review; no current acceptance rate is published.

    Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
    All requirements, expenses and sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Residency: Kentucky student; Requirement: Be in grade 9, 10, or 11 at application under current published scope; Requirement: Show entrepreneurial curiosity, creativity, drive, resilience, collaboration, flexibility, and comfort with risk/failure; Requirement: Commit to live on campus and participate every day for all three weeks; Requirement: Obtain parent/guardian permission and two eligible recommendations; Exclusion: GPA and standardized-test scores are not considered; Exclusion: Applicants do not apply with a fixed team or need a pre-existing business idea; Exclusion: Absence is allowed only for emergency, illness, or overriding personal reason under program decisions; Exclusion: Completion does not guarantee college admission, scholarship funding, business launch, patent, prize, or investment

    Selection and application: Selection: Holistic statewide selection without GPA/test-score review; no current acceptance rate is published. Application materials: Two recommendations from eligible non-family/non-friend adults

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Explore Summer 2027 by interest, grade and state

Summer 2027 hub · Selective vs. pay-to-play guide · Application guide

Recorded application dates · check the cycle
How to check costs, eligibility and dates

Read each program's coverage before budgeting. Financial aid that depends on an application is different from a program that is free for everyone admitted.

Missing facts say Unconfirmed — check official site. A past session does not establish 2027 availability. Format and location can change between cycles.

Frequently asked questions

Are these programs confirmed for summer 2027?

These are existing catalog programs to research for 2027. Inclusion does not confirm a 2027 session or open applications. The cycle label matters: a 2027-cycle application deadline can fall in 2026. Dates explicitly labeled as the 2026 cycle are historical; missing next-cycle details remain unconfirmed.

How should I compare program costs and formats?

Compare tuition, application fees, housing, meals and travel, then check whether attendance is online, on campus or hybrid. A free tuition offer may leave other expenses. Unknown fields say Unconfirmed — check official site.

Can a program pay to appear first?

No paid placements. Listings are ranked by fit, never by payment. Here, fit means matching the filters you choose. Matching listings default to name order; you can sort by recorded deadline or latest source check. Use the methodology page to understand catalog standards.

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