Thank you for your interest in the United States Senate Youth Program Hearst Scholarship opportunity. For 62 years the United States Senate Youth Program has tapped a vital reservoir of talent from America’s high schools. Delegates will hear major policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials of the Departments of State and Defense, leaders ofother federal agencies and senior members of the national media. Delegates also traditionally participate in a meeting with a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and the president of the United States. Most speaking events include in-depth question and answer sessions.
Two student delegates and a first and second alternate will be designated by the chief school officer from each state, the District of Columbia and DoDEA by December 1, 2023. They will meet their peers from across the nation, be immersed in a premier leadership experience, and receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship in the name of the United States Senate. Through our partnership with you, the most outstanding young people in the country are encouraged to become leaders in government and public service.
During Washington Week the students will attend briefings and meetings with several senators, the president of the United States, a justice of the Supreme Court, Cabinet secretaries, and an ambassador to the United States, other federal agency leaders and senior members of the national media. Each speaking event includes a substantial question and answer session allowing the students direct and personal interaction with the high-level leadership. While in D.C., the students also tour national monuments, memorials and historic sites. This in-depth exposure is precisely what fuels and sustains the students’ commitment to making a difference in their country, communities and schools.
List of application procedures and policies including basic qualifications:
- Qualified high school juniors or seniors must show demonstrated leadership by serving in elected or appointed positions in which they are actively representing a constituency in organizations related to student government, education, public affairs and community service. They must be actively serving in qualified leadership positions, enrolled in high school and living in the state (and for these purposes, the District of Columbia) that they will represent for the entire 2023–2024 academic year.
- The student must hold a high-level leadership position in any one of the following student government, civic or educational organizations duringthe entire 2023–2024 academic year:
- Student Body president, vice president, secretary or treasurer
- Class president, vice president, secretary or treasurer
- Student Council representative
- A National Honor Society officer (including discipline-based Honor Societies such as the National English and Social Studies Honor Societies that include service components)
- Student representative elected or appointed (appointed by a panel, commission or board) to a local, district, regional or state-level civic, service and/ or educational organization approved by the state selection administrator, where the student holds a high level position of representation to a constituency in a year-round capacity providing service to others.
- Must be able to attend the entire 2024 in-person Washington Week March 2-9, 2024. The $10,000 college scholarship and attendance at the Washington Week program are one, inseparable award.
- Delegates must participate in the Washington Week program in accordance with all program rules and policies in order to receive the financial scholarship.
Residency:
Each student must be a legal permanent resident or citizen of the United States at the time of application. Students must be enrolled for the entire academic year in a public or independent high school located in the state (and for these purposes, the District of Columbia) in which at least one of their parents or guardians currently resides.
The following eligibility requirements are set forth by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. Learn more about the program and associated rules.
