Thank you for your interest in the
United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) opportunity. 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 Department of Defense Education Activity by December 1, 2024. The students 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 U.S. Senate. The program encourages outstanding young people in our country to become leaders in government and public service.
During Washington Week March 1-8, 2025, the students will attend briefings and meetings with several senators, the president of the United States, a justice of the Supreme Court, Cabinet secretaries, 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.
- 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 2024–2025 academic year.
- The student must hold a high-level leadership position in any one of the following student government, civic or educational organizations during the entire 2024–2025 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.
Participation or holding an officer position in academic clubs, educational competition programs/conferences or organizations designed primarily for the student’s personal development and enrichment DO NOT qualify a student for the USSYP, although many students who qualify participate in these activities.
- Must be able to attend the entire 2025 in-person Washington Week. 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.
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 eligibility requirements are set forth by the USSYP.
