Free and Low Cost Summer Programs

Updated June 2024

Summer programs do not have to cost a lot of money. We've compiled a list of free and low-cost options for Summer 2024. We hope that one of these programs will light a spark that might evolve into a lifelong passion.

If not, that's okay, too—these programs invite exploration, challenge students' thinking, and introduce them to new ideas and even ways to think about the world.

FIRE Free Speech Leadership Summit

Cost: FREE

This week-long summer program is for college-bound rising 9th through 12th graders curious to learn more about free speech. Learning tracks include free speech law, journalism, making an impact, social media and entertainment, and free speech history and philosophy.

Camp Integem: AI Robot, Holographic AR Coding, Game Design

Cost: FREE

Learn about AI, robotics engineering, art, animation, 3D, game design, space/nature exploration, and more at Camp Integem. Take classes in person (in CA) or online. Students in grades 6-12 who've participated in the past (or are taking programs this summer) may also participate in the Tech Leadership program.

Octavia Project: Summer Institute in Brooklyn

Cost: FREE

The Octavia Project Summer Institute is a free, Brooklyn-based program for young women and trans, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming youth ages 14-18 who are interested in science fiction, writing, art, and technology. The five-week program runs July 15 - August 15, 2024.

Columbia University Teachers College: Project Belonging

Cost: FREE

Project Belonging is a program geared toward students in grades 6 - 12 interested in becoming "Belonging Ambassadors" in their communities. The online program includes five hours of lessons about the importance of belonging and resilience in school settings. Students will discuss how to build bridges within communities. Sessions run monthly from April to August.

American University: Discover the World of Communications

Cost: $350/class

Ready to build your college portfolio, learn something new, or explore an area in communication that you’ve never had an opportunity to before? American University Discover the World of Communication pre-college program also has an online component. Taking the skills and instruction you need right to your computer...wherever you are!

Art Academy of Cincinnati: Virtual Teen Academy

Cost: $150/course

Virtual Teen Academy offers a series of two-week, online creative and educational workshops during the summer that are designed specifically for artists, designers, and writers ages 13-18. Students can discover and expand their creative interests in drawing, painting, digital design, photography, or poetry.

Cal State at Northridge: Summer Academic Enrichment Program

Cost: $150+/class

The Summer Academic Enrichment Program (SAEP) has been serving middle and high school students since 1979. We want the children who pass through our program to be better people--academically and personally--for having come our way. We believe that children are grown, and we want to provide the optimal place for good growth to happen.

 Husson University: Early College Access Program (ECAP)

Cost: FREE

Begin your college career early! Get a head start on your college degree while saving time and money. Through Husson’s Early College Access Program (ECAP), high school juniors and seniors can enroll in college courses to earn credits that can count toward a degree program. Courses are tuition-free for ECAP students.

Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions

Cost: FREE for ages 8-12

Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions bases every 7 to 15-day outdoor trek on three pillars: People (building a meaningful community), Place (living safely, comfortably, and respectfully in the outdoors), and Projects (trekker-led deep learning). Open to kids from 8-18, or enroll for a family trek (all ages).

iD Tech: Virtual Tech Camps

Cost: $499

Virtual Tech Camps from iD Tech are the perfect, home-based option for students seeking the collaborative spirit of our on-campus programs. For many, learning alongside others is a vital social component. Let's keep your child advancing their skills, engaging with other students, and building confidence!

Illinois Tech Elevate College Prep Summer Programs

Cost: $350+

This summer, flex your skills in game design and development, cybersecurity, computing and technology, computational science, and mathematics. Online classes include CyberDefenders, Math Camp, and Unraveling the Art of Data Science. Our online summer programs are 1-2 weeks each and take place throughout June, July, and August. All courses are taught by faculty—no prior experience necessary!

K12 Tuition-Free Online Summer School Programs

Cost: <$500

Summer is a great time to explore careers that interest you—especially if your school doesn't offer career exploration courses. It's also the perfect time to catch up or get ahead in classwork. Online classes are available for students in grades 6-12 in: credit recovery, full length semester courses, or condensed courses.

Khan Academy

Cost: FREE

Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. Millions of students from all over the world, each with their own unique story, learn at their own pace on Khan Academy every single day. Applying for college soon? Take a free SAT prep class!

Norwich University of the Arts FREE Creative Summer Workshops

Cost: FREE

Join free online Summer School workshops with Norwich University of the Arts and get creative! From designing album covers to sculpture, from character design to expressive painting, NUA staff and graduates will teach you new skills and help you to build a creative portfolio for university. Open to 14-19-year-olds. Twice-weekly online workshops run from July –  September. If you sign up to 6 or more workshops and send in your outcomes from at least 3 you will receive a certificate of attendance from Norwich University of the Arts.

Ohio University Pre-College & Youth Online Summer Programs

Cost: $375+ per course

Summer Studios are intensive experiences in creative practice. Work with faculty in online courses to create portfolio-quality work, earn credit, and develop your artistic voice. Programs for middle school ages will also help to learn to develop and realize their ideas, making unique works in a variety of media.

Rex Academy Online Summer STEM Camps

Cost: $199

Rex Academy is offering summer online STEM camps for youth and teens. Rex Academy teachers online coding classes, virtual group lessons, self-paced online lessons. Our curriculum does not require a computer science background. We also offer a free demo class.

uCode: Online Coding Classes for Teens

Cost: $297+ (Private individual instruction also available)

With UCode, students learn to be proficient in coding and computational thinking. uCode uses an experiential approach to learning that allows students to immerse themselves in real-world problems.

UNH Super STARS Advanced Academy

Cost: <$500/session

The University of New Hampshire's Super STARS Advanced Academy is an intensive, virtual, 5-day camp for students entering grades 9-12 which explores multiple areas of the dramatic arts. The Academy goes “beyond the basics,” strengthening and challenging students to bring them to the next level.

Teach Me Wall Street Summer Camp

Cost: <$500 per Session

Teach Me Wall Street Virtual Online summer camp is for teens in grades 9 - 12. Students will learn about the stock market, the role of all the related financial institutions, and how they all come together. Offering Wall Street 101; Fintech and Jobs of the New Economy; and Intensive Currency Trading Boot Camp. Take one track or all three!