United States Senate Youth Program
Annual scholarship competition administered by the California Department of Education.All public and private high schools in the state are invited to nominate up to two outstanding juniors or seniors who are interested in pursuing careers in public service to participate in the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), an educational program coordinated by the California Department of Education (CDE) and sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.
The 63rd Annual Washington Week is being planned to be held in person in Washington, D.C., March 1–8, 2025.
Two student delegates from each state and the District of Columbia will be selected to attend this unique educational experience and partake in a comprehensive, interactive leadership program. Students will engage in a series of seminars and briefings with Senators and members of the House of Representatives, and meet with officials of the executive and judicial branches of government. Each student delegate will also receive a one-time $10,000 college scholarship, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.
Students may qualify to apply through leadership positions they currently hold per the USSYP official criteria for the current 2024–25 academic year. All student leadership qualifying positions are subject to the judgment of the state selection administrator and will be verified and confirmed.
Students must attend the week-long program to receive the scholarship.
Program 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. See our Frequently Asked Questions for details.
- 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.
2025 USSYP Timeline
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| August 2024 | 2025 USSYP Announcement Letter Sent to School Principals |
| October 7, 2024, at noon | Deadline to Submit Completed Application Survey & Exam |
| Mid-November 2024 | Zoom Interviews with Finalists |
| Early December 2024 | Student Delegates and Alternates Announced |
| January 15 or 16, 2025 | U.S. Senate Youth Presentation at the California State Board of Education |
| March 1–8, 2025 | 63rd Annual Washington Week |
How to Apply
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.
News Releases
- 2024 California delegates & alternates
- 2023 California delegates & alternates
- 2022 California delegates & alternates
- 2021 California delegates & alternates
- 2020 California delegates & alternates
Contact Us
For further information, please send an email to ussyp@cde.ca.gov.
- Dina Fong, U.S. Senate Youth Program Coordinator
- David Carriker, U.S. Senate Youth Program Assistant