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Bank of America Student Leaders

Bank of America Student Leaders has offered paid nonprofit internships and a leadership summit since 2004, and the bank says it connects more than 300 students to employment and service. From the 2026 cycle, applicants must be at least 18 with college credit, so current high school students are no longer eligible.

Any status, must study in the US
Stipend

Official website ↗

Size and selectivityRate not published

Photo: Stiven Rivera / Pexels

Eligibility: Any status, must study in the US
Cost: Stipend
Latest deadline: TBA

BofA Student Leaders at a Glance

Host: Bank of America; interns work at local nonprofit partners selected by Bank of America
Field: Nonprofit internship, community service and leadership
Grades and age: From the 2026 cycle: at least 18 when applying, high school diploma or equivalent within the last 2 years (24 months), 12 to 18 post-secondary credit hours, and good standing at the current institution. Students previously selected as high school students cannot apply again
Citizenship and residency: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US without sponsorship through the end of July 2026 and live in an eligible program location in summer 2026; Bank of America employees and their immediate family are not eligible.
Cost: Paid internship at $17 an hour or the local minimum wage, whichever is higher; Bank of America pays travel, hotel and meals for the 3-day Leadership Summit. Living, housing and commuting costs during the internship are not covered.
Dates and format: A 6-week full-time internship (at least 35 hours a week) at a local nonprofit, starting around mid-June, including a 3-day Leadership Summit (June 16–18 in 2026).
Application dates: The 2026 application opened February 9, 2026 and closed at 11:59 pm Eastern on March 16, 2026, with no extensions; applicants were notified by the end of April. The 2027 cycle has not been announced.
Application materials: Online application, a post-secondary transcript, an overview of key accomplishments and 2 recommendations from the current institution or former high school (not family or close friends); no resume is required. Selected students must rank in the top 20% of recommended applicants and have held a leadership role within the last 2 years.
Size and selectivity: Application numbers and admission rates are not published; Bank of America says the program connects more than 300 students to employment, skills development and service.

Verified against official pages on 2026-10-06 · about.bankofamerica.com/en/making-an-impact/student-leaders

About BofA Student Leaders

Bank of America Student Leaders has run since 2004. Selected students complete a paid 6-week full-time internship at a local nonprofit and attend a 3-day Leadership Summit. The bank says the program connects more than 300 students to employment, skills development and service; application numbers and admission rates are not published.

From the 2026 cycle, applicants must be at least 18, within 2 years of high school graduation, have 12 to 18 college credit hours and be authorized to work in the US without sponsorship. The rules also bar students who were selected as high school students from applying again, which shows the program once took high school students and now serves early college students. Pay is $17 an hour or the local minimum wage, whichever is higher.

For current high school students, this program no longer applies. EDUBUS recommends that high school students seeking public service and leadership experience look instead at programs that still serve them, such as USSYP, LEDA, or California Boys State and Girls State.

How to Apply to BofA Student Leaders

Current high school students are not eligible. After graduating, a student with 12 to 18 college credit hours within the 2-year window can consider applying.
High school students who want public service and leadership experience can look at USSYP, LEDA, or California Boys State and Girls State in this library.
For eligible college students: the deadline falls in mid-March with no extensions, and recommendations must come from the current institution or former high school, so line up two recommenders a month ahead.

FeatureSummer Programs Recommended by MIT AdmissionsMIT Admissions lists 23 selective summer programs on its website. Each one is in this library, with eligibility, cost and selectivity.

BofA Student Leaders: Frequently Asked Questions

Can Irvine high school students still apply to Bank of America Student Leaders?

No. From the 2026 cycle, applicants must be at least 18, within 2 years of high school graduation and have 12 to 18 college credit hours, so current high school students are not eligible. Irvine students can consider it after graduating and earning the credits.

What are the alternatives in high school?

Programs focused on public service and leadership that still serve high school students include USSYP and California Boys State and Girls State. Irvine public high school juniors from households earning $90,000 or less can also consider LEDA.

Is the internship paid?

Yes. The pay is $17 an hour or the local minimum wage, whichever is higher, and Bank of America covers travel, hotel and meals for the 3-day Leadership Summit. Living and commuting costs during the internship are not covered.

Can an Irvine student apply while at community college?

Yes, if they meet the requirements: at least 18, within 2 years of high school graduation, 12 to 18 college credit hours, authorized to work in the US, and living in an eligible program location that summer. Eligible locations are those listed in the application system.

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Sources2 sources · checked 2026-10-06

Photo from Pexels, illustrating the category.

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