United States Senate Youth Program Scholarship

About this scholarship

The United States Senate Youth Program selects 104 outstanding high-school leaders for an intensive week of government and public-service education in Washington, D.C. Each delegate receives a $12,500 undergraduate college scholarship, and The Hearst Foundations covers transportation, lodging, and meals for Washington Week, scheduled for March 6–13, 2027. Two delegates are chosen from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity. Applicants must be high-school juniors or seniors during the 2026–2027 academic year, live in the jurisdiction they will represent for the full school year, and actively serve in a qualifying elected or appointed leadership position. Eligible roles involve representing a constituency in student government, education, public affairs, or community service. Selection is handled by state education officials rather than by the Senate or Hearst directly. Students obtain the correct form from a principal, counselor, social-studies teacher, or the official state selection contact. Deadlines and processes vary; the official contact page lists each jurisdiction’s current 2026 date and application website. Many states use a public-affairs examination, essays, and interviews. Previous USSYP delegates and scholarship recipients cannot apply again.

Eligibility

• Be a high-school junior or senior during the 2026–2027 academic year
• Be enrolled in high school and live in the state or jurisdiction represented for the full academic year
• Actively serve in a qualifying elected or appointed leadership position
• Represent a constituency in student government, education, public affairs, or community service
• Have an academic interest and aptitude in government, history, and public affairs
• Follow the application, examination, essay, and interview process required by the applicant’s state or jurisdiction
• Meet the official state-specific deadline shown on the USSYP contact page
• Not have previously served as a USSYP delegate or received the USSYP scholarship