Program Overview
The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) is a unique and annual educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service. Typically, two student leaders from each state will spend a week in Washington, DC experiencing their national government in action. Student delegates will hear major policy addresses by Senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies, as well as participate in a meeting with a Justice of the US Supreme Court. All transportation, hotel and meal expenses will be provided by the Hearst Foundations. In addition, each delegate is awarded a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.
The 62nd annual United States Senate Youth Program Washington Week will be held in person in Washington, DC from March 2-9, 2024. The national deadline for all states to submit their delegate selections is Dec. 1, 2023.
All eligible students are encouraged to apply. Students must attend the program to receive the scholarship. All confirmed student delegates will partake in a comprehensive, interactive leadership program in the stated timeframe, and each will receive a $10,000 college scholarship in the name of the United States Senate. All student leadership qualifying positions are subject to the judgment of the state selection administrator and will be verified and confirmed.
View the USSYP overview video here.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
Delegates from the District of Columbia must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Students are permanent residents of the US, and one of their parents or guardians is a legal resident of Washington, DC.
- Students are juniors or seniors in a Washington, DC school.
- Students must have been elected or appointed to one of the following posts for the current school year (2023-24 school 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 position of representation to a constituency in a year-round capacity providing service to others.
- JROTC students who hold officer-level leadership positions, often called Cadet Corps Commanders, within their cadet corps for the entire academic year
The following positions/memberships DO NOT qualify a student for the program:
- Attendance or officer position at Boys/Girls Nation or State summer conference
- Member of the National Honor Society (serving as an elected officer for the organization for the entire school year is acceptable)
- Member or leader of the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts
- A founder or chairperson of a self-created group
- A participant, captain or officer in Mock Trial, Debate Team, Model U.N. or other academic club, conference or competition where the primary engagement is for the individual educational enrichment
2023 Delegate Essays
Each year after Washington Week the USSYP student delegates are asked to submit an essay reflecting upon their experience. Excerpts from selected essays are then published in the annual USSYP Yearbook for distribution to all senators, speakers and students. Unedited essays from our DC student delegates can be found below.
Application
You may access the application, instructions, and timeline on the application page.