Rice University Precollege Entrepreneurship: From Ideas to Impact in Fintech

Everything is pre-recorded, so there are no live classes, Zoom calls or set log-in times, and you work through the video lectures, module assignments and discussion boards on Canvas whenever it suits you. Your mentor answers questions and gives feedback through the Canvas inbox, the discussion boards and assignment reviews, and helps you brainstorm your capstone. Rice says mentors are most active during daytime hours in US time zones, so replies may take longer if you live far from the US.

Individual assignments have no due dates. Everything just has to be in by the end of your session, which suits a busy student but makes it easy to leave too much for the final days. Rice puts the load at about 15 hours a week in a 2-week session and about 7.5 hours a week in a 4-week one, with the same content in both.

The course was designed by Manolo Sanchez, an adjunct professor in management at Rice who teaches digital disruption in finance to MBA and executive MBA students. He spent 10 years as chairman and CEO of BBVA Compass and now advises fintech and blockchain startups. You see him only on video, though, and the person you actually deal with is your mentor.

The mentors Rice lists for this course are Marcus, a graduate student in experimental psychology, Mariza, whose research looks at design, innovation and entrepreneurship, and Jenn, a Rice undergraduate studying business and sociology. Rice says its mentors are real people rather than AI and know the course subject well, but none of the listed bios mentions a finance background, which is worth knowing if you're hoping for expert feedback on the fintech details.

You need to be at least 13 and in high school (or the equivalent outside the US), or within a year of graduating if you're taking a gap year, and Rice says the course isn't meant for college students or adults. Rice also says students can start as early as middle school, so a 13-year-old who hasn't reached high school yet should check with Rice before applying.

You don't need transcripts, recommendation letters or an English test, but your whole application has to be in English and you should be ready to study in English. Rice asks for basic contact details for you and a parent or guardian, plus a brief personal statement on why you want to take the course, which it calls the most important part of the application. You can tell your story in writing, video, photos or any other format. Rice doesn't publish an acceptance rate.

You leave with a Certificate of Completion from Rice University and your capstone, a simple business plan for a fintech product that's either your own idea or an addition to an existing fintech company. To earn the certificate, at least 70% of your assignments and the whole capstone have to be judged satisfactory by your session's end date. Assignments are marked Complete or Incomplete, with no letter grades.

The course carries no college credit, grades or transcript, and Rice says taking it gives you no advantage in Rice admissions. Rice suggests listing it on college applications as an extracurricular or experiential activity rather than as education. If you fall short of the certificate requirements, you don't get any money back.

The course costs $1,795 for either session length, and Rice says there are no additional fees. That covers the video lessons, assignments and mentor support, while your computer, software and internet connection are your own cost. Tuition is due the day before your session starts, but your place isn't confirmed until you pay, so Rice recommends paying as soon as you're accepted.

Rice offers need-based scholarships for students who show financial need and high potential, and you request one on the confirmation page after you submit your application. Rice doesn't publish how much they cover. Cancel at least 7 calendar days before your start date and you get all your tuition back. From 6 days before, nothing is refundable and there are no partial refunds, although you may be able to switch to another course or session.

You apply through Rice's online application, which Rice says takes 20 to 30 minutes and saves your progress if you can't finish in one go.

1. 1

   Pick a session

   The first sessions listed are 20 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 (apply by 13 December 2026), 3 to 31 January 2027 (apply by 27 December 2026) and 17 January to 14 February 2027 (apply by 10 January 2027).

2. 2

   Apply

   Fill in your contact details and personal statement, and request a need-based scholarship on the confirmation page if you need one.

3. 3

   Hear back

   Rice emails a decision within a week, or a few days longer at busy times.

4. 4

   Enroll and pay

   Register by the enrollment deadline in your acceptance and pay in full by the day before your session starts.

5. 5

   Log in

   Your Canvas invitation arrives at least two days before the start date.