Dear County and District Superintendents, Charter School Administrators, High School Principals, Counselors, and Scholarship Coordinators:

2026 United States Senate Youth Program

I am pleased to announce the 2026 United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP).

All public and independent 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 this educational program coordinated by the California Department of Education (CDE).

Two student delegates from each state will be selected to attend this unique educational experience. The 64th Annual Washington Week is scheduled to be held in Washington, D.C., on March 7–14, 2026. Student delegates will participate in a comprehensive, interactive leadership program, and each will receive a $10,000 college scholarship.

To apply, students must be nominated by their high school principal and currently be serving in an elected or appointed leadership capacity in a student government, civic, or educational organization for the entire 2025–26 school year. In addition, nominated students must be U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents, be currently enrolled in a California public or independent high school, and live in California for the entire academic year. Four finalists, consisting of two delegates and a first and second alternate, will be selected by the CDE to be California’s USSYP representatives.

Information on how to apply is available on the CDE USSYP web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/eo/in/us/. Visit the official US Senate Youth web page at https://ussenateyouth.org/selection_process_brochure/ for the official 2026 brochure. Students must first submit an Intent to Apply form by Monday, September 22 at noon. Once eligibility is confirmed for the student, the final application is then due by Monday, October 20, 2025.

If you have any questions regarding the USSYP, please email USSYP@cde.ca.gov.

Sincerely,

Tony Thurmond
State Superintendent of Public Instruction

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