Are you a high-school junior or senior with a strong record of elected or appointed student leadership and public service? The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) gives selected student leaders an intensive week in Washington, D.C., where they learn directly from senior U.S. government officials and national leaders.
For 2027, two student delegates are selected from each U.S. state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity.
Quick Eligibility: United States Senate Youth Program
- Opportunity Type: Fully Funded Youth Leadership & Civic Education Program
- Education Level: High School — Junior or Senior
- Eligible Nationality: U.S. citizens
- Residency: Must meet the programme’s U.S. state/DC residency requirements
- Age Limit: 13-18
- Leadership Requirement: Required — must currently hold a qualified elected or appointed high-school leadership position
- Leadership Period: Position must be held for the entire 2026–27 school year
- Leadership Purpose: Must primarily represent a constituency and/or provide service to others
- Work Experience: Not required
- University Admission: Not required
- Application Fee: $0
- Selection: State-level selection
- Washington Week: March 6–13, 2027
- National Selection Deadline: December 1, 2026
- Location: Washington, D.C., USA
- Application Method: Through the applicant’s state selection process / DoDEA for eligible overseas military-connected students
Who Can Apply?
The United State Youth Program is not open to every high-school junior or senior.
You need to be:
1. A high-school junior or senior
AND
2. A U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
AND
3. Living and attending high school in the state/DC you will represent
AND
4. Currently serving in a qualifying elected or appointed leadership position
AND
5. Holding that leadership position for the entire 2026–27 academic year.
Examples of qualifying positions can include high-level student-government positions and leadership roles in organizations where the primary purpose involves representing a constituency or providing service to others. The state selection administrator makes the final determination about whether a particular position qualifies.
How Selection Works
This is not a normal direct national application.
Each state, the District of Columbia and DoDEA conducts its own selection process. Ultimately, two delegates and two alternates are submitted from each participating jurisdiction. The national deadline for those selections is December 1, 2026.
State deadlines are earlier and vary considerably.
For example, the official 2027 list includes:
- Arizona — September 18, 2026
- Florida — September 28, 2026
- Georgia — September 30, 2026
- California — October 2026
- Connecticut — October 20, 2026
- Washington, DC — October 27, 2026
What Happens During Washington Week?
Selected delegates spend a week in Washington studying the U.S. federal government and interacting with senior public officials.
The programme includes exposure to:
- U.S. Senators
- Executive-branch officials
- A Supreme Court Justice
- The President
- A foreign ambassador
- Federal agency leaders
- Senior national media representatives
What Is Funded?
The Hearst Foundations fully fund and administer USSYP, and no government funds are used.
Selected delegates receive:
- Round-trip travel to Washington, D.C.
- Accommodation
- Programme-related meals
- A college scholarship
Also, the scholarship is for undergraduate study at an accredited U.S. college or university, not a general cash prize.
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