The Bank of America has partnerships with nonprofit and charitable organizations all over the US. Being accepted in the Bank of America Student Leaders program means you'll be hired as a paid intern and work at one of these organizations near you.

So if you're a high school student who wants to develop your leadership skills and get involved in your community, this program may be perfect for you! With 2024 ending, the 2025 application cycle has already begun, so let's look into the program and see exactly how you can apply.

What is the Bank of America Student Leaders program?

The Bank of America Student Leaders program aims to improve youth employment in communities across the US by offering young students the opportunity to get involved with local non-profit organizations nearby.

This 8-week program(35 hours a week) seeks to give students opportunities to develop skills and connect with some of their own community leaders.

Here are some of the main opportunities student leaders will benefit from:

• Community service: Showing interest and experience in giving back to your community looks great on a resume and can be very fulfilling.
• Leadership development: Getting involved will teach you several new leadership skills that will be useful in your personal and professional life. Skills like networking, team leadership, and collaboration are all good examples.
• Work experience through a paid summer internship: You'll get real-world experience and valuable insight into how the company works and how it positively affects the people around you. All while getting paid!
• Networking: Through this program, you're guaranteed to make connections. Be it your boss, coworkers, or others you interact with. These connections can be helpful down the line, so don't underestimate them!
• Making a tangible impact: Who wouldn't want to have a positive impact on their community? The companies you can work for, either NGO or charitable, will offer community-minded services to improve the lives of people around them. Being part of that will allow you to give back and participate in that rewarding process.

Who can apply for the program?

To be eligible to participate, you have to be:

• A junior or senior in high school with good grades
• Able to work in the US without sponsorship until the end of September
• Ready to participate in an 8-week paid internship for 35 hours a week
• Available to participate in the Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC (all expenses are paid)
• Permanently residing in one of the eligible locations

You are not eligible to apply if:

• You’re a Bank of America employee or an immediate family member of a BoA employee
• You’d already been selected for the program in the past

You can learn more on the official program FAQ page.

Application deadline and key dates

Every year, applications open in the fall of the previous year.

This means that for the year 2025:

• The final application date is October 14, 2024.
• The final application date is January 15, 2025.

How to apply for the Bank of America Student Leaders program

To apply, begin by going to the program's main page at www.bankofamerica.com/studentleaders

Step 1

Once on the page, click on the "Apply Now" option

Step 2

Confirm your interest in applying for the program.

Step 3

Select which grade you're in and press Submit.

Step 4

Confirm that:

- your availability to work 35 hours a week for 8 weeks

- you can attend the Student Leader's summit from July 21 to 26

- you're authorized to work in the US at least until the end of September 2025

- you are not an immediate family member of a Bank of America employee

Step 4

Log in or create an account.

Step 5

After reading through the information, press on the "Start a new application" at the bottom of the page.

Step 6

Fill in all the requested fields.

Step 7

Review and submit your application.

Tips on preparing a strong application

• Start early: One of the best ways to stay calm during this process is to get started early. This not only gives you ample time to gather everything you need but also allows you to put together the best version of your application.
• Craft engaging personal answers: Your personal answers are your chance to let your personality and ambitions shine Use this space to share your experiences, aspirations, and what makes you unique. Keep your writing clear, engaging, and true to yourself.
• Get feedback!: Consider asking someone you trust for feedback once you've drafted your essay. A fresh pair of eyes can catch things you may have missed and offer valuable suggestions to enhance your writing.
• Letters of recommendation matter: it's crucial to choose the right people to write your letters of recommendation. Look for teachers, mentors, or community leaders who know you well and can speak positively about your abilities and character. Give them plenty of notice so they have enough time to craft a thoughtful letter.
• Proofread!: Once you've assembled everything, it's important to proofread your application before hitting submit.

Conclusion

The end of high school is the best time to engage in programs like this and get real-life experience. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to give back to their community and gain valuable skills. Start the application process as early as possible, find a reference, and ensure everything is submitted before January 15, 2025. Good luck!

Read more:

• Scholarships directory for post-secondary education
• Pros and Cons of Getting a US College Degree
• How to Choose a University in 2024