United States Senate Youth Program

Annual scholarship competition administered by the California Department of Education.

Congratulations to the 2024 United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) student delegates and alternates for California!

The 62nd Annual Washington Week is to be held in person, for the first time since the pandemic, in Washington, D.C., March 2–9, 2024. Students must attend the program to receive the scholarship. All student delegates will partake in a comprehensive, interactive leadership program in the stated timeframe.

Two students from each state will be selected to attend the program, and each will be awarded a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship in the name of the United States Senate. Students may qualify to apply through leadership positions they currently hold per the USSYP official criteria for the current 2023–24 academic year. All student leadership qualifying positions are subject to the judgment of the state selection administrator and will be verified and confirmed.

Background

In 1962, the United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution creating the USSYP, a national nonpartisan initiative to provide an annual opportunity for talented high school students with demonstrated leadership abilities to deepen their understanding of America's political processes and strengthen their resolve to pursue careers in public service. Each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity select two student delegates to participate in the USSYP.

The delegates from each state are awarded a $10,000 college scholarship and participate in Washington Week during the spring to deepen their understanding of America's political processes and strengthen their interest and desire for a career in public service.

Students must be nominated by their high school principal to be considered for the USSYP and cannot apply to the USSYP directly.

Important:

Nominated students must be high school juniors or seniors currently serving in an elected or appointed leadership capacity in a student government, civic, or educational organization for the entire school year for which they are applying.
Students must be actively serving in qualified leadership positions and actively representing a constituency in organizations that relate to government, education, public affairs, and/or community service.
Students must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States at the time of application, currently enrolled in a California public or private secondary school, and live in the state they will represent for the entire academic year for which they are applying.

How to Apply

Instructions and Application/Nomination Form

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional Information

William Randolph Hearst Foundation
Information from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation's website regarding the United States Senate Youth Program as well as a copy of their USSYP brochure.