Bank of America’s Student Leaders Program: What it is and how to apply

If you answer ‘yes’ to the following three questions, you’ll want to learn as much as you can about the Bank of America Student Leaders program: 

• Are you a high school junior or senior? 
• Do you have a passion for giving back to your local community? 
• Are you interested in a paid internship with a nonprofit serving your community? 

Those are the core qualities of students chosen by Bank of America to participate in this fantastic summer internship program. So, if that sounds like you, you’ll probably want to read this blog post from beginning to end. 

Here’s everything you’ll learn: 

• The essential details about the Student Leaders program, including what skills you’ll learn, eligibility criteria, and where you can work 
• What goes into the application and the application deadline 
• Info about Bank of America scholarships for college 

What is the Bank of America Student Leaders Program?

The Bank of America Student Leaders program is an internship program for high school juniors and seniors interested in serving their communities. By participating in the Student Leaders program, you could secure an eight-week PAID internship at a local nonprofit organization that partners with Bank of America.

During the internship, you’d learn what it takes to best serve the needs of your community and the critical role of nonprofit organizations. You’d also develop valuable civic, social, and leadership skills to help you succeed in your future academic and professional endeavors. 

The eight-week program concludes with all participants from across the country attending the week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C. The summit would also allow you to learn how the government, businesses, and nonprofits work together to address the needs of communities. 

Especially great: Bank of America also covers all of the Summit’s expenses, including flights, baggage fees, hotel accommodations, and meals. 

Every year, over 300 students get selected to take advantage of this amazing opportunity. (For a comprehensive guide to extracurricular activities, check out that link.)

Are you interested in potentially being one of the future Student Leaders? We’re guessing yes—so let’s talk about how you can do so. 

Bank of America Student Leaders eligibility requirements

If the Student Leaders program sounds like a good fit for you, the next step is ensuring you’re eligible. Here are all the requirements.

To apply for the Bank of America Student Leaders program, you must:

• Currently be a junior or senior in high school
• Be a student in good academic standing at your school
• Be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship through the end of September in the year you participate
• Be able to participate in an 8-week paid internship at a local nonprofit/charitable organization and work 35 hours a week
• Be able to participate in a week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC (the summit takes place in July and is the final week of the 8-week program)
• Permanently reside in one of the eligible locations (see the next section of this blog post)
• Not be a Bank of America employee or an immediate family member (e.g., child, sibling, etc.) of a Bank of America employee
• Have not been previously selected for the program*

*If you’ve applied for the program in a previous year but weren’t selected, you can reapply if you still meet all the other eligibility requirements.

States that offer the BofA Student Leader program

The BofA Student Leaders program operates in every state EXCEPT Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

However, even in the states offering the program, you can only apply to participate in select cities. For example, in Wisconsin, the program only operates in Dane, Milwaukee, and Waukesha.

Check here to see if the B0fA Student Leaders program operates in a city near you.

How to apply for the Bank of America Student Leaders program

So, you’re eligible and ready to apply for the BofA Student Leaders program? Awesome! 

The application isn’t too complicated. Just make sure you submit a complete application with all the components by the deadline (details below).

Student Leaders application components

• A complete online application (covers basic information about you and your current academic standing)
• One letter of recommendation (from an administrator/teacher/guidance counselor or coach at your current school)
• Resume (1-2 pages; optional)

Student Leaders application deadlines

The Student Leaders program application opens in the fall, around October. The application deadline is typically in mid-January.

Where is the program held?

The Student Leaders program takes place in local nonprofit and charitable organizations across the country. The exact location will depend on your state and the organization where you’re placed to work. You’d conclude the program with a week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC.

Bank of America Scholarships

Separate from the Student Leaders program, Bank of America also sponsors several college scholarships you may be interested in. 

The eligibility criteria vary for each of the scholarships. So, check the details by following the links provided below to see if you qualify:

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Final thoughts

The Bank of America Student Leaders program can be an excellent opportunity to get hands-on nonprofit work experience if you’re an eligible high school junior or senior.

It’s also a great way to build your resume and help you stand out during the college application process. Many colleges look for students who take the initiative to improve their local communities. It can signal to them that you’ll bring this same energy and spirit with you to college! 

If you’re interested in learning about similar summer programs for high school students, check out the following guides:

You can also learn more about finding scholarships for college by reading this guide: How to Find Scholarships for High School Seniors.