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Leadership & Educational Opportunities
Level Up • Pursue Your Passion
Derek E. Gordon Arts Fund: Apply ASAP
Funding to support need and merit-based projects in the arts through travel scholarships to young individuals and/or groups in the Baton Rouge community. This fund aims to help young artists advance their careers through various artistic opportunities.
Eligibility: High school or college-aged artists who are permanent, legal residents of Louisiana
Grant Awards: Range from $500 to $2,500
Application Review: Based on the artistic excellence of the applicant's work, the degree to which the proposed project will help the applicant advance their career, and the potential of the individual artist
Application Requirements: Application form, Resume, Three work samples, Letter of support
Vanderbilt Programs for Talented Youth: Rolling Deadlines
Vanderbilt Programs for Talented Youth offers accelerated courses for advanced and high-achieving students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Courses are designed for academically talented and motivated learners. PTY strives to offer courses led by Vanderbilt faculty, graduate students, and content experts.
Eligibility: 7th-12th grade student
Requirements: Complete application form, financial aid form, $50 application fee
Cost: Based on courses, financial aid available
Registration Deadline: Rolling until courses are full
Baton Rouge STEM Fellows: Apply ASAP
A free year-long STEM enrichment program for high-school students in Baton Rouge that provides hands-on STEM experiences, mentorship, and exposure to real-world career pathways. Students participate in monthly Saturday sessions, build workforce and college readiness skills, and engage directly with STEM industry professionals.
Duration: One academic year; meets 1–2 Saturdays per month.
Stipend: Participating students are eligible to receive a stipend for each session they attend
Eligibility: Open to high-school students in grades 9–12 in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas.
Requirements: Registration form; commitment to attending monthly Saturday sessions.
Registration Info: Apply ASAP! Open enrollment for the 2025–2026 cohort is now live. Will close when full.
Tulane University Pre-College & Summer Programs
An immersive summer experience for high-school students, offering both enrichment and credit-bearing courses, residential or commuter options, on the Tulane campus in New Orleans.
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th grade students
Duration: Weekly sessions (1-2 weeks)
Application Requirements: Online application; in order to earn credit you must submit: transcript, essay, teacher recommendation
Registration Deadline: Applications for Summer 2026 likely open December 2025
National Student Leadership Conference: Rolling Deadlines
An immersive pre-college program for high school (and some middle school) students designed to build leadership skills, explore career concentrations, and experience university campus living.
Duration: Typically 6–18 days depending on the program.
Cost: Tuition varies by program type and length; financial aid available!
Eligibility: High-school students ages 14–18 who have completed at least one year of high school; some middle-school programs available for grades 6–8.
Requirements: Online application and tuition deposit; additional requirements vary by program type (residential vs. commuter).
Application Info: Applications accepted on a rolling basis; students may apply as long as space remains.
YES Abroad (Kennedy-Luger Youth Exchange & Study Abroad Scholarship)
A fully-funded academic-year study abroad scholarship for U.S. high-school students, enabling students to live with host families and attend high school in a selected host country, while promoting cross-cultural understanding.
Duration: One academic year abroad.
Cost: Fully funded scholarship (covers tuition where applicable, room & board with host family, round-trip airfare, in-country support, visa fees, modest stipend).
Eligibility: U.S. citizen, enrolled in grades 9-12 (including home-school) at time of application, age approximately 15-18.5 at program start.
Requirements: Submit online application, transcripts, letters of recommendation, essays, participate in selection interviews; preference given to applicants who have not previously done an extended in-person exchange abroad.
Application Info: Recruitment for Academic Year 2026-2027 has been paused; prospective applicants should monitor website and register for updates.
Future Law Enforcement Youth Academy: 01/31/2026
The program is an overnight camp that gives participants an inside look at today’s FBI, while simultaneously exposing them to various local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and practices.
Eligibility: 15 to 17 years old student with a 2.7 GPA
Duration: June 2026 at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA
Requirements: Complete application, essay, and parental approval.
Registration Deadline: 1/31/2026
A-HEC of a Summer: 3/1/26
The A-HEC of a Summer Program is a FREE and exciting opportunity for high school students who are interested in pursuing a health care career. These students are given a chance to explore different career opportunities in medicine by volunteering at local hospitals. Participants learn hands-on about health issues, patient care, and health care career options, as well as information on education and training for health care professions, volunteer work and opportunities, and job readiness skills.
While serving the community, students can earn 1/2 high school AHEC elective credit and CPR certification. Students will also attend workshops and field trips.
Eligibility 10-12th grade students with at least a 2.0 GPA
Requirements: Complete application form, letter of recommendation, transcript, current photo ID, and short essay (300-500 words)
Regular Deadline: 3/1/26
Ochsner STAR Summer Scholars Program
A free, five-week summer program designed to inspire Louisiana high-school students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and medicine through hands-on experiences, seminars, and mentorship with Ochsner Health professionals.
Duration: 5 weeks (typically early June – mid-July 2026)
Cost: Free (no program fee; transportation not provided)
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program, currently in 11th grade, no minimum GPA or ACT/SAT required, Louisiana residents given priority, must have reliable transportation.
Requirements: Online application, 300–350 word essay, resume, short answer responses (150 words max), high-school transcript (9th grade to current), two letters of recommendation (non-relatives), participation in Acceptance Day & Meet & Greet with guardian, updated immunization record and tuberculosis questionnaire, maximum of two absences allowed.
Registration Deadline: TBA (Applications typically open in January and close in March)
Louisiana Youth Advisory Council (LYAC)
A statewide youth council that advises the Louisiana Legislature on issues impacting young people. Members gain leadership, public-policy, and community engagement experience.
Duration: One-year term with monthly meetings and statewide civic events.
Cost: Free.
Eligibility: Louisiana residents ages 14–19; enrolled in grades 9–12 (public, private, charter, homeschool, or approved GED program).
Requirements: Online application; parent/guardian consent; two recommendation letters.
Deadline Info: Applications typically open each spring (March–May).
Service Opportunities
Make Your Mark • Give Back
Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank
Volunteers are invaluable to the Food Bank. Without the thousands of volunteer hours each year, the Food Bank would be unable to provide food to the many children, seniors and families facing hunger in our community.
Eligibility: Must at least 14 years old (or 10 years with a guardian)
Hours: Based on availability
St. James Place Senior Living Community
A flexible, low-commitment volunteer opportunity supporting senior residents through activities, conversation, and events.
Hours: Flexible; volunteers may schedule shifts as available; 7 days a week between 9:30 AM and 4:30 PM; scheduling required in advance.
Eligibility: Open to high-school students interested in community service and engaging with seniors.
Requirements: Contact the volunteer coordinator to schedule hours; willingness to assist with resident activities such as games, parties, and conversation.
Contact directly to learn more & sign up
Phone: 225-215-4568
Email: ebozeman@stjamesplace.org
East Baton Rouge Parish Library (Virtual)
EBR Parish Library has created a virtual volunteering form where teens can recommend books/audiobooks in detail.
Eligibility: Must be in grades 6-12
How it works: For every fully filled-out recommendation form, you will receive 30 minutes of volunteering time
BREC
BREC needs volunteers to fulfill our mission of providing park and recreational opportunities for all residents of East Baton Rouge Parish. With a range of facilities and programs, BREC has a volunteer opportunity for everyone.
Eligibility: Must be at least 14 yeas old
Hours: Based on availability
Questions? Contact BREC at 225-272-9200 (ext 1446) or volunteer@brec.org
Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants
Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (LORI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping refugees and immigrants achieve self-sufficiency by providing them access to critical services and support.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity seeks volunteers to work on construction sites and at its two Baton Rouge ReStore locations.
Eligibility: Must be aged 16+; construction volunteers must also sign a volunteer waiver
Construction hours: Wednesday or Saturday from 7:45am-3:00pm
ReStore hours: As assigned
Questions? Contact Kristen Lee at 225-927-6651 (ext. 212) or kristen@habitatbrla.org
Learn more | General volunteer registration form | Construction application & waiver form | ReStore volunteer interest form
Baton Rouge General Hospital
Baton Rouge General Hospital offers volunteer opportunities in multiple departments, including pharmacy, surgery, pediatrics, and arts in medicine.
Eligibility: Must be aged 15+ and maintain 2.5 GPA
Commitment: Min. 25 hours (one four-hour shift/week for six months)
Clean Pelican
We are working to create and maintain a clean, beautiful community where businesses and families want to stay, work and play. There are plenty of opportunities to clean up our city.
Eligibility: Must complete an interest form.
Hours: Based on availability
Jobs & Scholarships
Hands-on Experience • Money for School
Looking for part-time work? Check out these resources. ➡️
Keep in mind, your job should understand that you are a student first!
Scholarships by Grade:
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