USSYP Intent to Apply and Application Instructions

Intent to Apply Form

To apply for the 2026 U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP), interested students MUST first complete an Intent to Apply form and meet these minimum qualifications for eligibility:

• Show demonstrated leadership through public service in elected or appointed positions in which they are actively representing a constituency in organizations related to government, education, public affairs, and/or community service.*
• Be actively serving in qualified leadership positions for the entire 2025-26 school year.
• Be enrolled in high school as a junior or senior and living in California for the entire 2025–26 academic year.
• Be a legal citizen or permanent resident of the United States at the time of application.
• Be able to attend the entire 2026 Washington Week, March 7–14, 2026, in person in Washington, D.C.
  

* For a list of eligible positions, please see the USSYP Frequently Asked Questions web page.

NOTE: The Intent to Apply form will take five minutes to complete.

Deadline

The deadline to submit the Intent to Apply form is at noon on Monday, September 22, 2025.

Applications will not be accepted from students who do not submit the Intent to Apply by this deadline.

All students will be informed no later than September 30, 2025, whether they are eligible to apply for this program. After eligibility is confirmed, students will receive the link to the USSYP application and exam. Once a student receives the link to the application and exam, please follow the below instructions.

Part A Application/Nomination Form

Applicants are required to submit the following required documents as a single PDF:

• 2026 USSYP California Qualifying Application/Nomination Form.
  NOTE: Requires signatures from the school principal (or designee), students, and parent.
• Unofficial student transcripts with a list of all courses.
• Two letters of recommendation.
• USSYP California Student Checklist.

IMPORTANT! Students should begin working on Part A first while gathering the above list of required signatures and documents.

Part B (Survey Application and Exam)

Part B is a survey application and exam and includes a video presentation. 

Students may complete the Part B survey application and exam in one sitting or can work on the application in multiple sittings since there is a save feature within the survey application. Please allow adequate time to complete the entire application and exam which may take a few hours.

Both Parts A and B must be submitted by the application deadline of Monday, October 20, 2025, at noon.

Important Dates and Reminders

• Intent to Apply Form is due on Monday, September 22, 2025, at noon.
• USSYP Application is due on Monday, October 20, 2025, at noon.
• Late Intent to Apply forms and applications will not be considered.
• Incomplete submissions may be disqualified.
• Additional materials besides the required elements will not be evaluated.
• Student interviews via Zoom may be held as the final part of the selection process.