- Washington D.C., USALocation
- ~104 awards/yearNumber of Awards
- ~USD 12,500 scholarshipScholarship Value
- Founded 1962Established
- 1 weekProgram Duration
- Fully FundedFunding Type
At a glance
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Funding
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Max amount
Rolling
Deadline
United States
Country
U.S. Senate
Provider
The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), established by U.S. Senate Resolution in 1962, offers a unique educational experience for high school students passionate about public service. It brings two student leaders from each U.S. state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity to Washington D.C. for an immersive week-long program. Delegates participate in policy addresses by Senators and Cabinet members, and usually meet with the President and a Supreme Court Justice. The program covers all transportation, hotel, and meal expenses, making it fully funded for participants. In addition to the Washington Week experience, each delegate is awarded a $12,500 college scholarship. This scholarship encourages recipients to pursue undergraduate studies, particularly in history and political science. The 65th annual Washington Week is scheduled for March 6-13, 2027. The national deadline for states to submit delegate selections for this cycle is December 1, 2026. Treat the figures and dates here as estimates and confirm current-cycle details on the official website.
What's covered
- College Scholarship — Each delegate receives a ~USD 12,500 (est.) college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with an encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science. This scholarship is contingent on attending the entirety of the Washington Week program.
- Transportation — All transportation costs to and from Washington D.C. for the program week are covered by The Hearst Foundations.
- Accommodation — Hotel expenses for the duration of the Washington Week program in Washington D.C. are fully provided.
- Meals — All meal expenses during the one-week program are covered for delegates.
- Educational Program — Participation in the intensive educational program, including policy addresses, meetings with government officials, and visits to federal agencies, is included.
How to apply
The application process for the United States Senate Youth Program is managed at the state level. Interested students must contact their specific state selection contact for detailed instructions and deadlines.
- Review Eligibility — First, review the official USSYP rules and brochure to ensure you meet all national eligibility criteria, particularly regarding leadership positions and academic standing.
- Locate State Contact — Visit the 'State Contacts & Deadlines' section of the USSYP website to find the specific contact information for your state or jurisdiction.
- Obtain State Application — Contact your state selection administrator directly to request the application materials and learn about the state-specific application procedures and deadlines. These vary by state.
- Submit Application — Complete and submit your application along with all required documents to your state selection office by their specified deadline. Ensure all information is accurate and verifiable.
Eligibility
Nationality/ResidencyHigh school students residing in any U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or attending a Department of Defense Education Activity school.
Study LevelCurrently enrolled in high school (junior or senior year) during the academic year of the program.
Leadership PositionMust be actively serving in an elected or appointed high-level leadership position within their student body or community. Examples include student body president, vice president, secretary, treasurer; class president, vice president, secretary, treasurer; or comparable positions in other student organizations.
InterestDemonstrated interest in pursuing a career in public service.
Leadership positions held during the current or immediate past academic year may qualify. Verification of leadership positions is subject to state selection administrators. Please consult the official rules and your state contact for detailed criteria.
Eligible countries
United States
Deadlines
National Delegate Submission (2027 Washington Week)2026-12-01
State-specific deadlines (est.)Varies by state, typically Sept-Nov 2026
Selection
Students are selected through a rigorous, non-partisan process at the state level. Each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity select two student leaders based on their leadership accomplishments, academic merit, and interest in public service. The process often involves an application review, an Annual Public Affairs Exam, and interviews conducted by state selection administrators, who then submit their chosen delegates to the national program.
Verified sources
- United States Senate Youth Program Official Websiteussenateyouth.orgofficial
About the provider
The U.S. Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, established in 1789. It is comprised of 100 members, two from each state, serving six-year terms. The U.S. Senate Youth Program is supported by The Hearst Foundations.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP)?
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The USSYP is a unique educational program established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution, offering outstanding high school students an immersive week-long experience in Washington D.C. focused on public service and government in action.
What does the USSYP scholarship cover?
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The program provides a fully funded trip to Washington D.C., covering all transportation, hotel, and meal expenses. Additionally, each delegate receives a ~USD 12,500 college scholarship for undergraduate studies.
What is the value of the scholarship award?
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Each student delegate is awarded a one-time college scholarship of ~USD 12,500. This scholarship is intended for undergraduate studies, with an emphasis on coursework in history and political science.
Who is eligible to apply for the USSYP?
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Eligibility is open to high school students (juniors or seniors) in the U.S. who are actively serving in high-level elected or appointed leadership positions and are interested in public service careers.
Which countries are eligible for this scholarship?
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This scholarship is tenable only in the United States. Applicants must be high school students residing in one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or attending a Department of Defense Education Activity school.
Which study levels are supported by the USSYP?
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The USSYP program is for current high school students. The accompanying scholarship is specifically for undergraduate studies at a college or university after high school graduation.
What is the application deadline for the next cycle?
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The national deadline for states to submit their delegate selections is December 1, 2026. However, state-specific application deadlines vary and typically fall between September and November 2026.
How do I apply for the United States Senate Youth Program?
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To apply, you must contact your specific state selection contact found on the USSYP website. The application process and deadlines are managed at the state level.
What documents are required for the application?
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Required documents typically include a completed state-specific application form, proof of residency/enrollment, and verification of your leadership positions. Other documents like transcripts, essays, and recommendations may also be requested by your state.
How are USSYP delegates selected?
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Delegates are selected by state education departments or chief state school officers through a non-partisan process, which often includes an application review, an Annual Public Affairs Exam, and interviews.
What is the duration of the program and is it renewable?
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The Washington Week program lasts for one week (e.g., March 6-13, 2027). The accompanying ~USD 12,500 college scholarship is a one-time award for undergraduate studies and is not renewable.
Where can I confirm the current cycle details?
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You should always confirm the most current details, including specific deadlines and eligibility criteria, on the official United States Senate Youth Program website at ussenateyouth.org.