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 37 to 40 of 40 matching programs. Ordered by name.

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Selected programs, application facts and official sources
Program factsChangemakers in Computing (CiC)RemoveSMASH ResidentialRemoveUW Engineering AcademyRemove
Application deadlineUnconfirmed — check official siteUnconfirmed — check official siteUnconfirmed — check official site
CostCatalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official siteCatalog terms: 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 conditionsUnconfirmed — check official siteCatalog 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 siteCatalog terms: Daily transportation to UW Seattle: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Student must provide transportation; amount varies by household/location.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Stipend or payCatalog terms: Mentee stipend: $1,200; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official siteUnconfirmed — check official siteUnconfirmed — check official site
EligibilityGrades 10–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higherGrades 10–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higherGrades 10–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher
Additional eligibilityResidency: 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 2027Residency: 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 exceptionsResidency: Attend high school in the greater Seattle area under the 2026 rules; confirm 2027; Requirement: For 2026, be a current high-school sophomore or junior; Requirement: Attend high school in the greater Seattle area; Requirement: Arrange transportation to and from UW Seattle every program day; Requirement: Seek a first broad exposure to engineering; prior engineering knowledge is not required; Requirement: Attend and participate in the complete daily program; Exclusion: Using the 2026 grade year, dates, and region as guaranteed 2027 terms before publication; Exclusion: Assuming advanced engineering experience is required or gives a guaranteed advantage; Exclusion: Assuming UW provides transportation or that participation guarantees UW admission, credit, a scholarship, internship, recommendation, or job
Session dates or durationCatalog terms: 4 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official siteCatalog terms: 3 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official siteCatalog terms: 1 week; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
FormatIn personIn personIn person
Housing and supervisionNon-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official siteResidential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official siteNon-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site
LocationSeattle, University of Washington Seattle campusAtlanta, Berkeley, Boston, Ann Arbor, Georgia, California, Massachusetts, MichiganSeattle, Greater Seattle area, Washington
Selection and applicationSelection: Every on-time application is reviewed equally, but UW does not publish seats, applicant totals, or an acceptance rate.Selection: Applicants must satisfy all published requirements, and geographic preferences apply; the current pages do not publish applicant counts or an acceptance rate.Selection: Application-based introductory program prioritizing students with limited prior engineering access. UW publishes no 2027 capacity, applicant count, acceptance rate, or score weights.
Official sourcesSource 1 · checked 2026-08-21Source 2 · checked 2026-08-21Source 3 · checked 2026-08-20Source 1 · checked 2026-08-21Source 2 · checked 2026-08-21Source 3 · checked 2026-08-21Source 1 · checked 2026-08-20

Catalog programs to compare

  • UT Southwestern Medical Center

    UT Southwestern STARS Summer Research Program for Students

    UT Southwestern STARS offers eight-week nonresidential biomedical research for eligible juniors; Summer2027 applications run November16,2026–January22,2027.

    Application deadline
    January 22, 2027 (2027 cycle)
    Cost
    Catalog terms: 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
    Dallas, Texas, UT Southwestern biomedical research laboratories; North Texas applicant focus; nonresidential
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

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

    Minimum age 16; U.S. citizen or national, or otherwise eligible to work in the United States; Intended for North Texas high-school students; exact county, school, commute, or Texas-residence boundary is not published on the current page; Be at least 16 years old by June 1 before the summer program; Be a U.S. citizen or national or otherwise eligible to work in the United States

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

    Selection: Participation is limited by funding. UT Southwestern names superior academic achievement and strong science or medicine interest as positive factors but does not publish the current applicant count, funded places, acceptance rate, GPA cutoff, review rubric, lab-match method, or waitlist policy.

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

    Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Minimum age 16; Citizenship: U.S. citizen or national, or otherwise eligible to work in the United States; Residency: Intended for North Texas high-school students; exact county, school, commute, or Texas-residence boundary is not published on the current page; Requirement: Be currently enrolled in high school and classified as a junior at application; Requirement: Be at least 16 years old by June 1 before the summer program; Requirement: Be a U.S. citizen or national or otherwise eligible to work in the United States; Requirement: Have no prior research experience under the program's controlling definition; Requirement: Demonstrate strong academic achievement and interest in science or medicine; Requirement: Be able to commute reliably to UT Southwestern for the entire eight-week, nonresidential program; Requirement: Work safely and professionally in an assigned biomedical research laboratory with a faculty host; Requirement: Complete employment or stipend onboarding, minor consent, health, immunization, safety, conduct, privacy, data, intellectual-property, and laboratory requirements; Requirement: Present research results at the end of the summer and present the experience at the student's home school; Exclusion: Students who are not current high-school juniors; Exclusion: Applicants who will be younger than 16 on June 1; Exclusion: Applicants who cannot demonstrate U.S. citizenship, nationality, or legal work eligibility; Exclusion: Students with prior research experience under STARS policy; Exclusion: Applicants seeking clinical care, patient contact, physician shadowing, or a residential program; Exclusion: Inability to attend the full eight weeks or commute safely and reliably to the assigned Dallas laboratory; Exclusion: Assuming strong grades, interest, North Texas residence, or an early application guarantees a funded place

    Selection and application: Selection: Participation is limited by funding. UT Southwestern names superior academic achievement and strong science or medicine interest as positive factors but does not publish the current applicant count, funded places, acceptance rate, GPA cutoff, review rubric, lab-match method, or waitlist policy. Application materials: Transcript, essays, activity list, resume, teacher or counselor information, recommendation, or interview only if the new application explicitly requires them

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  • University of Washington College of Engineering

    UW Engineering Academy

    Free one-week introductory UW Seattle engineering program for eligible greater-Seattle sophomores and juniors; 2027 applications open in March.

    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: 1 week; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    In person
    Location
    Seattle, Greater Seattle area, Washington
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

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

    Attend high school in the greater Seattle area under the 2026 rules; confirm 2027

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

    Selection: Application-based introductory program prioritizing students with limited prior engineering access. UW publishes no 2027 capacity, applicant count, acceptance rate, or score weights.

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

    Expenses and aid conditions: Catalog terms: Daily transportation to UW Seattle: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Student must provide transportation; amount varies by household/location.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Residency: Attend high school in the greater Seattle area under the 2026 rules; confirm 2027; Requirement: For 2026, be a current high-school sophomore or junior; Requirement: Attend high school in the greater Seattle area; Requirement: Arrange transportation to and from UW Seattle every program day; Requirement: Seek a first broad exposure to engineering; prior engineering knowledge is not required; Requirement: Attend and participate in the complete daily program; Exclusion: Using the 2026 grade year, dates, and region as guaranteed 2027 terms before publication; Exclusion: Assuming advanced engineering experience is required or gives a guaranteed advantage; Exclusion: Assuming UW provides transportation or that participation guarantees UW admission, credit, a scholarship, internship, recommendation, or job

    Selection and application: Selection: Application-based introductory program prioritizing students with limited prior engineering access. UW publishes no 2027 capacity, applicant count, acceptance rate, or score weights.

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  • Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas

    Walton College Fleischer Scholars Program

    A free six-day business program at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville for first-generation Arkansas high school juniors; students who will be seniors in fall 2027 apply November 1 to March 14.

    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
    Fayetteville
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Arkansas

    Housing: 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: Arkansas; Requirement: First-generation Arkansas high-school student interested in business; will be a senior in fall 2027.

    Selection and application: Unconfirmed — check official site

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  • Yale University Office of New Haven Affairs

    Yale Pathways to Science Summer Scholars

    Yale's free two-week Summer Scholars intensive serves current Pathways Scholars entering grades 10-12; Summer 2026 is complete and 2027 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
    Last year's cycle (2026): Starts July 5, 2026; Ends July 17, 2026; 2 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    In person
    Location
    New Haven, Connecticut, Yale campus
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grades 10–12 when applying; check the provider's rules for graduating seniors

    Must already be an eligible Yale Pathways to Science Scholar, a cohort restricted to named New Haven-area public-school districts; For the residential option, be entering grade 12 and complete any additional residential forms

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

    Selection: Selective among eligible existing Pathways Scholars; workshop classes have 16 or fewer students and residential places are capped separately.

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

    Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Residency: Must already be an eligible Yale Pathways to Science Scholar, a cohort restricted to named New Haven-area public-school districts; Requirement: Be a current Pathways Scholar in grade 9-11 when applying; Requirement: Be entering grade 10-12 in the summer; Requirement: Submit the invited application and one teacher recommendation; Requirement: Commit to both program weeks and required orientation; Requirement: For the residential option, be entering grade 12 and complete any additional residential forms; Exclusion: Students who are not already Pathways Scholars; Exclusion: Current seniors graduating before the summer; Exclusion: Applicants unable to attend the full two-week program; Exclusion: Residential participation is limited to selected rising seniors and is not automatic with day-program admission

    Selection and application: Selection: Selective among eligible existing Pathways Scholars; workshop classes have 16 or fewer students and residential places are capped separately. Application materials: Two short essays and one long essay; One teacher recommendation

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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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