Opportunities for Youth Ages 14-24

Eligible grades: 9th, 10th or 11th graders in the 2025-26 school year. Exploring Leadership is a summer program that helps high school students learn how to be leaders in their communities. Using Coro’s training activities, Youth Fellows practice critical thinking, setting goals, and working with others to make a positive difference where they live. Each participant receives a $250 stipend upon completing the program. The priority application deadline is December 12, 2025, and the final application deadline is January 9, 2026.

Eligible ages: 14 to 18. This spring, Mission Bit will offer two free online coding classes: Intro to Game Design, and Intro to Python. The classes will take place from February 9 to May 8, 2026. Applications are due by January 11, 2026.

Eligible ages: 13 to 24. The Youth Empowerment Fund is a grant program for young people in San Francisco. It is run by youth and made to support youth ideas. The program gives young people up to $10,000 to help pay for projects they lead, like school clubs, small businesses, or community groups. Applications for the spring 2026 grant cycle are due by Monday, January 12, 2026.

Eligible ages: 14-17. Next Gen is now accepting applications for Spring 2026. In this program, you will learn how to tell your own story through video and animation in a fun and supportive space. Next Gen is an in-person, semester-long program in San Francisco. Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 6:30 PM, and the semester runs from January 20 to April 30. Students who finish their project and meet the attendance requirements will earn a $300 stipend. The program ends with a special screening of your final project and includes career workshops and other great opportunities. Applications are due by January 13, 2025.

Eligble ages: 15 and up. Manny's Writing Club invites participants to explore San Francisco's Mission District through writing and using their senses. Each session starts inside Manny’s (3092 16th Street) with simple exercises to build trust and creativity. Then everyone goes outside to notice the colors, sounds, and people in the neighborhood before coming back to Manny’s to share and write about what they saw and felt. The Club is open to all levels of writing experience. There is a small fee to participate, but if someone cannot pay, they can reach out to the organizer for financial support. In 2026, the Club will meet on January 17, March 21, May 16, July 18, September 19, and November 21.

Eligible ages: 14-19. Registration is open for Youth Art Exchange’s (YAX) free after-school art classes for San Francisco public high school students. Students can take hands-on classes in animation, architecture, music production, mural arts, fashion design, darkroom photography and more at YAX studios located at 1950 Mission St and 2330 San Jose Ave. Orientation is on February 4, 2026 and the first day of classes is February 9, 2026. No experience is required. Registration must be completed by the last week of January 2026.

Eligible ages: 0 to 24. The District 10 Summer Resource Fair is a free event that connects children, youth, and families who live in Bayview, Hunters Point, Visitacion Valley, Dogpatch, and other southeast San Francisco neighborhoods with free and low-cost summer programs, summer jobs for youth, and other services and resources. The District 10 Summer Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 11am to 2pm at the Southeast Community Center, 1550 Evans Avenue in San Francisco.

Eligible ages: All. The SAT Exam will be administered at Lowell High School in San Francisco on the following dates: March 14, 2026, May 2, 2026, and June 6, 2026.

Paid summer internships in City departments for high school students

Get zero-cost services from our job centers designed for youth and young adults who are between the ages 16 to 24.

Use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply for financial aid for college, career school, or graduate school. For most California financial aid programs, your application must be submitted no later than March 2, 2026.

Eligible ages: 17-24. New Door Ventures helps young people in San Francisco get on the path to good jobs and financial stability. In their six-month program, 15–20 youth join as a group of interns. They learn job skills, work together, and support each other during their internships. Applications are accepted all year.

Eligible grades: college students in Associate, Undergraduate, and Graduate Degree Programs. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is recruiting for a paid Student Internship with their Natural Resources and Lands Management Division. This position will be based at the Millbrae office and will conduct field work throughout the Peninsula Watershed system. Applicants can gain real-world work experience in natural resources management and threatened and endangered species protection. Compensation ranges from $36.65 to $41.2375/hour. Applications are due by January 15, 2026.

Eligiblity: students pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree. NPR is inviting college students around the country to create a podcast — about anything you want! — and compete for a chance to win a $5,000 cash prize and have your work featured on NPR. Submissions are due by January 16, 2026.

Eligible ages: 18 and up. Learn about Healthright 360's paid training and apprenticeship program for community health workers at an Employer Spotlight event on Thursday, January 29, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 1449 Webster Street in San Francisco. Healthright 360 is now accepting applications for the apprenticeship program, which will start in April 2026. This program is good for anyone with an interest in purpose-driven careers, is 18 or over, and has a high school diploma or equivalent.

Eligible ages: 18-24. Dev/Mission's Pre-Apprenticeshipprogram helps young adults by giving them computers, teaching them how to code, and showing them important skills they need for tech jobs. It connects young people from underserved communities with apprenticeships, internships, and other job opportunities. Each person also gets a tech mentor for six months who gives advice and helps them learn how to succeed in the tech world. All classes take place in-person from February 9 to May 1, 2026. There is no fee to participate in the program. Applications are due by the end of January 2026.

Eligible grades: college undergraduates. Breakthrough Summerbridge is looking for college students who want to make a difference this summer. Teaching Fellows lead classrooms, get hands-on training, and work with coaches and staff for support. Our Fellows come from many backgrounds and bring unique life stories. Most are people of color, and many are the first in their families to go to college. At Breakthrough, you’ll help build a fun and caring community with field trips, talent shows, and special traditions while learning skills that will help you in any career. Applications are due by February 26, 2026.

Eligible ages: 18-24. Are you in school, working, or somewhere in between? You may be eligible for cash, food, and health care benefit programs to make ends meet. Applications for benefits programs are always open.

If you graduated from a San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) or SFUSD affiliated charter school in the Class of 2025, 2024, or 2023, then you have at least $50 in your K2C account, plus any contributions or incentives to continue your education after high school! There is no deadline to claim your money.

Get trained and qualified for a DMV Class B Permit to begin a career in transportation with the CityDrive program. Services are offered at no cost, including free access to services and job referrals.

OEWD's Hospitality Initiative prepares you for a career in hospitality at no cost. Open to both beginners and experienced hospitality workers.

CityBuild provides industry-recognized training for construction and construction administration to San Francisco residents.

OEWD's TechSF program prepares you for a career in technology by offering training programs at no cost to participants.

We work to strengthen the economic security and mobility of all San Franciscans.