Are you a high school student who is into business, investing, or real-life finance? Finance competitions offer the ideal way for you to apply the skills that you acquire in school and fine-tune your college application as well as socialize with like-minded people. In this guide, we shall list the ten best finance competitions for high school students alongside peculiarities, who can participate, dates, and advantages of participating.
1. National Personal Finance Challenge
Administered by the Council for Economic Education, NPFC is undeniably one of the most standing contests in personal finance for the high school level. The contest is comprised of 4 levels: teams complete online quizzes in a series of qualifying rounds, then advance to state finals before proceeding to the national finals, where they develop and present a financial plan for a fictional family.
Key Details:
Eligibility: All high school students within the U.S.
Format: Teams of 3-4 students; online and state finals in person.
Dates: State competitions held in spring; nationals in May/June.
Prizes: $2,000 for 1st, $1,000 for 2nd, $500 for 3rd and $250 for 4th.
Benefits: All-expenses-paid trip to national finals for top teams.
2. Wharton Global High School Investment Competition
Sponsored by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, this global competition challenges students to create an investment strategy for a hypothetical client. The teams have to analyze real-world financial data and present their portfolios via writing reports.
Key Details:
Eligibility: High school students worldwide.
Format: 4 to 7 member teams; virtual competition.
Deadline: Typically, registration closes in September.
Prizes: Certificates, recognition from Wharton, and networking opportunities.
3. DECA Competitive Events
These events draw high school students that have an interest in business, marketing, and finance. Almost every domain is covered under competitive events like finance, business management, and entrepreneurship.
Key Details:
Eligibility: High school students via school chapters.
Format: Individual and team; role-plays and case studies.
Dates: Competitions are mostly held in April; deadlines for registration are in November.
Benefits: Develop practical business skills and network with peers.
4. Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Competitions
FBLA conducts different competitions in topics like Personal Finance, Economics, and Investment Strategies. Competitions are held at different levels of local, state, and national. Students can choose their preferred topics to compete in and participate either individually or as a team.
Key Details:
Eligibility: High school students in the U.S.
Format: Individual and team events; written tests and presentations.
Dates: State competitions in spring; national finals in summer.
Prizes: Scholarships, trophies, and national glory.
5. National Economics Challenge
This competition tests your knowledge of Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and International Trade. Teams participate in different levels at the state, national and international. More than 10,000 students participate in this competition and the top 4 teams are selected for the in-person finals in Atlanta.
Key Details:
Eligibility: U.S. high school students.
Format: Teams of 3–4 students; multiple-choice and quiz bowl.
Dates: State competitions in spring; national finals in late spring.
Prizes: Scholarships, trophies, and national glory.
6. Capitol Hill Challenge
Considered highly prestigious at the state level is the Capitol Hill Challenge investment competition. Students participating would be tasked to manage a virtual portfolio of $100,000 to invest in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
Key Details:
Eligibility: Two public schools per Congressional district (U.S.).
Format: Teams of 3 to 5 students; virtual competition.
Dates: January 16 through May 2.
Prizes: National recognition and monetary rewards for the winning teams.
7. Yale DHSRI High School Investment Competition
This competition was held at Yale University to show students basic investing skills. Teams are tasked to manage a hypothetical portfolio of $100,000 over a 90-day period. This is the nation’s oldest and largest student-run socially responsible investment fund.
Key Details:
Eligibility: High school students (U.S. and international).
Format: Team competition; virtual portfolio management.
Deadline: September 22.
Benefits: Learn ESG investing and receive feedback from Yale's experts.
8. Virtual Enterprises International (VEI)
VEI is a simulation of business in which students organize teams to manufacture and operate virtual companies. They decide for their companies in areas of finance, marketing, and operations.
Key Details:
Eligibility: High school students all around the globe.
Format: Teams; virtual business simulation.
Dates: Year-round; national finals in the spring.
Benefits: Gives students an opportunity to learn real-world business, along with networking.
9. Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) Saunders Scholars National Competition
This contest promotes young entrepreneurs who have set up their own businesses. They present their enterprises to a panel of judges for feed-back and mentoring. Top student businesses from each YEA! class around the country compete in this competition.
Key Details:
Eligibility: High school students, graduates of the YEA! program.
Format: Individual or team; business pitch.
Dates: Vary; national finals in the spring.
Benefits: Mentorship, networking, seed funding.
10. Diamond Challenge
The Diamond Challenge is an international competition for young entrepreneurs at the high school level. Teams develop new business ideas and present them before the judges. Winners get cash rewards of upto $12,000 to set them on their entrepreneurial journey.
Key Details:
Eligibility: High school students from anywhere around the globe.
Format: Team effort; business plan and presentation.
Dates: Registration opens sometime in fall; grand finals sometime in spring.
Prizes: Cash awards, mentorship, and worldwide recognition.
If you are a high school student pushing yourself to stand out in college applications, RISE Research offers a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities around the world.
Through personalized guidance and independent research projects that can lead to prestigious publications, RISE Research helps you build a standout academic profile and develop skills that set you apart. With flexible program dates and global accessibility, ambitious students can apply year-round. To learn more about eligibility, costs, and how to get started, visit RISE Research’s official website and take your college preparation to the next level!
Read More
