United States Senate Youth Program

The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students and an opportunity for motivated student leaders to have direct contact with the highest-level elected and appointed officials in the nation. The USSYP mission is to encourage the best and brightest students in America’s high schools to pursue careers in public service.

Each year, two student leaders from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) interact with leaders in Washington, D.C., experiencing their national government in action. The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) 65th Annual Washington Week will be held March 6-13, 2027.

In addition, students selected to attend will each receive a $12,500 undergraduate college scholarship and be able to interact with key players in Washington D.C. during their experience at Washington Week. Students may qualify to apply through leadership positions they currently hold per the USSYP official criteria for the current academic year. All student leadership qualifying positions are subject to the judgment of the state selection administrator and will be verified and confirmed. See below for eligibility requirements.

104 STUDENTS WILL BE SELECTED FOR A WEEK-LONG GOVERNMENT AND LEADERSHIP EDUCATION PROGRAM AND WILL EACH RECEIVE A $12,500 UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP.

National Brochure and Press Release

2027 USSYP National Program Brochure
2027 USSYP National Press Release

More About USSYP

Background

In 1962, the United States Senate voted unanimously to endorse a nationwide youth program that would bring high school students to Washington, D.C. for a brief introduction to the functions of the federal government — particularly the Senate.

The program was created and authorized by Senate Resolution 234 and has been reauthorized ever since. The original resolution specified that the program be “supported by private funds with no expense to the federal government”. As a result, the Hearst Foundations assumed financial support of the program and continues its sponsorship today. The Foundation states that “it is in the public interest to encourage these outstanding young people to continue their educational development.”