United States Senate Youth Program

The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), funded by the William Randolph Heart Foundation, is sanctioned by the United States Senate under the authority of Senate Resolution 324, passed by unanimous vote on April 16, 1962. The program was developed for outstanding high school student leaders interested in political science. The objective of the program is to provide these students with opportunities to observe and converse with elected and appointed government officials at the national level.

A $10,000 scholarship, subject to the conditions and requirements established by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, will be awarded to each student participating in the program. Additional information concerning the scholarship will be provided to each delegate upon their arrival in Washington.

Outlined below are the eligibility rules. 

High school juniors or seniors currently serving in any of the following elected or appointed positions during school year 2025-2026 are eligible for nomination:

• Student Body president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer;

• Class president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer;

• Student council representative;

• Student representative elected or appointed (appointed by a panel, commission or board) to a local, district, regional or state-level civic, service and/or educational organization approved by the state selection administrator; or

• Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) commander or leader.

Participation in academic clubs and/or educational competition programs or conferences does not qualify a student for the USSYP, although many students who qualify participate in programs or this nature. The positions listed below do NOT qualify the student for the program:

• • Attendance or officer position at Boys/Girls Nation/State summer conference; Member of the National Honor Society (serving as an elected officer for the organization for the entire school year is acceptable);

• A founder or chair of a self-created group; and

• A participant or officer in Mock Trail, Model U.N., or other academic club, conference, or competition.

Students must be a United States citizen or legal permanent resident, at the time of application, and currently enrolled in a public or nonpublic secondary school in the state in which at least one of their parents/guardians legally resides. A student attending a school in a state other than the student’s state of legal residence of either of the student’s parents/guardians is also not eligible.

All students, regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, disability, or sexual orientation are eligible for selection as long as they are currently serving in an elected position as outlined above.

If you are interested in this opportunity and meet the eligibility requirements, please contact your principal.