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Summer Math Programs for High School Students: 15 Real 2026 Options
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Summer Math Programs for High School Students: 15 Real 2026 Options
Rachel Goldstein
Jul 12, 2026
11 min read
Here’s something most people don’t know: the best summer math programs in the country are completely free. Ross, PROMYS, MIT PRIMES, RSI, SUMaC with full aid. No tuition. No catch. The only filter is how picky they are about who gets in.
If you want a summer that feels like math camp (the good kind), this guide covers the programs worth your time.
Some are free and competitive. Some cost money but offer strong aid. A few are online and cheaper if you just want to learn without the travel.
One heads-up before you keep scrolling: most of the top programs close between February and March.
You’re reading this at the right time if you start your applications now. Wait until April and you’ll be targeting 2027 instead.
Rolling and Online Programs (Apply Anytime)
If fixed March deadlines feel tight, start here. These programs run rolling admissions, online-first models, or year-round enrollment. You can still apply even if you’re reading this later in the cycle, though spots in the popular ones fill quickly.
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HCSSiM (Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics)
- Takes applications until late April with rolling decisions.
- Six weeks of 4-hour morning classes Monday through Saturday, plus evening problem sessions.
- Tuition is $7,208 with financial aid available. If you can turn an application around fast, this is the best in-person bet for summer 2026.
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Texas State Honors Summer Math Camp (HSMC)
- Runs 6 weeks, June 21 through August 1, 2026.
- Tuition is $6,600.
- Rolling admissions started February 15 and run through early summer, but spots fill quickly. Worth a shot if you live in Texas or can travel there for six weeks.
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Idea Math Summer 2026
- Has sessions in Boston, California Bay Area, Plano/Frisco Texas, and online.
- Tuition starts at $1,675 with early enrollment pricing.
- The online sessions have later deadlines and are typically still open into April and May.
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MOSA (Math Online Summer Academy)
- Is free and covers geometry, number theory, and combinatorics online.
- You need to pass an admission test, but once you’re in, all materials cost nothing.
- Applications are processed year-round, so there’s no hard deadline.
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Art of Problem Solving (AoPS)
- Runs structured online classes with homework and real instructor feedback.
- Classes run $300-500 each.
- They have summer sessions plus fall, winter, and spring schedules. Registration usually stays open until the class start date.
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AwesomeMath Summer Program
- Had a main February 18 deadline but sometimes accepts late applications depending on session availability.
- If you email them directly, they may still have room.
- 3 weeks online, 2.5 hours a day, good for AMC and AIME prep.
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For completely free self-study, Khan Academy covers pre-algebra through calculus and into college-level topics. Not a "program" in the traditional sense, but a solid way to level up your skills if none of the options above work out.
The Complete 2026 Program List
Here’s the full landscape. Rolling programs first, then the elite ones with fixed deadlines (most between February and March):
| Program | Length | Cost | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| HCSSiM (Hampshire) | 6 weeks | $7,208 | Rolling, apply by late April |
| Texas State HSMC | 6 weeks | $6,600 | Rolling from Feb 15, apply early |
| Idea Math | Variable | $1,675+ | Rolling, multiple sessions |
| MOSA (Math Online) | Summer | Free | Year-round, admission test |
| Art of Problem Solving | Ongoing | $300-500 per class | Ongoing, classes year-round |
| AwesomeMath Summer | 3 weeks online | $1,275-$1,575 | Deadline Feb 18 |
| Ross Mathematics Program | 6 weeks | $7,500 (aid) | Deadline early March |
| PROMYS (Boston U) | 6 weeks | Full aid | Deadline early March |
| MIT PRIMES / PRIMES-USA | Year-long | Free | 2026 deadline already passed |
| RSI at MIT | 6 weeks | Free | 2026 deadline already passed |
| CMU SAMS | 6 weeks | Free, rising seniors | Deadline late February |
| SUMaC (Stanford) | 3 weeks | $3,580-$8,575 | Deadline early February |
| Canada/USA Mathcamp | 5 weeks | Scholarships | Deadline early March |
| MathILy (Bryn Mawr) | 5 weeks | Tuition + aid | Deadline mid-March |
| MMSS (Michigan) | 2 weeks | $3,800 | Deadline March 15 |
Elite Free Programs (Apply by March)
These are the holy grail of math programs. Fully free, world-class faculty, ridiculously competitive. Most close between February and March, so if you’re reading this early in the year, you still have time to apply. If not, mark them for 2027.
- Ross Mathematics Program
- Runs 6 weeks at Ohio State, deep-diving into number theory and abstract math.
- It technically costs $7,500, but they offer strong financial aid.
- Acceptance rate is under 10%. Mostly ages 15-18.
- The 2026 deadline is March 8. Apply this winter if you haven’t already.
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PROMYS at Boston University
- Is basically the Ross of New England.
- Same 6-week format, same deep number theory focus.
- The big difference: PROMYS offers full-tuition need-based financial aid, so if money is tight at home, this is the one to push for.
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RSI (Research Science Institute)
- Is the most selective free STEM program for high schoolers in the country.
- MIT hosts it, and 100 students get in from around 3,100 applicants (about 2.5% acceptance).
- You do real research with a mentor. Math is one of the tracks.
- The 2026 deadline was December 10, 2025, so the 2026 application is closed.
- Start prepping for the 2027 round now if you’re a sophomore or junior.
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MIT PRIMES and PRIMES-USA
- Lets you work on research projects with MIT grad students for almost a full year.
- PRIMES is for Boston-area students, PRIMES-USA is nationwide and fully remote.
- Free.
- The 2026 application closed December 1, 2025.
- That makes PRIMES a 2027 target.
- If you’re a sophomore or junior, start prepping now.
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CMU SAMS (Summer Academy for Math and Science)
- At Carnegie Mellon is free, residential, 6 weeks, for rising high school seniors.
- It focuses on students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM.
- Applications usually open in early spring.
Paid Residential Programs
These cost money but deliver serious value. Deadlines spread from winter through spring, so check each one. If your family can afford tuition or you can pull financial aid, any of these is worth applying to.
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SUMaC at Stanford (Stanford University Mathematics Camp)
- Is a 3-week program for rising juniors and seniors.
- The residential version costs $8,575 and takes 40 students.
- The online version costs $3,580 and takes 64 students.
- Financial aid is available based on need.
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Canada/USA Mathcamp
- Is a 5-week camp for talented high schoolers.
- Location changes each year.
- Less about rigid courses, more about problem-solving culture.
- Strong community among students.
- Scholarships cover tuition for many participants.
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MathILy at Bryn Mawr
- Is 5 weeks of inquiry-based learning.
- Seven hours of math a day, six days a week, split morning and evening.
- Yes, that is the point.
- It’s built for students who want to eat, sleep, and breathe math for a summer.
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Michigan Math & Science Scholars (MMSS)
- Runs
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