UNITED STATES SENATE YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS

CHARTING A PATH TO LEADERSHIP: U.S. SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

For outstanding high school students whose purpose is to have a career in public service and who have been in student leadership position(s). $10,000 is awarded to two students from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. These students additionally get funding towards reimbursing all costs of a week-long trip to Washington, DC, where they meet congressional leaders and the members of the U.S. national government. 

The most important criterion to qualify for this very prestigious scholarship is to be actively serving in a high-level leadership position that is usually elected. In addition to being awarded a $10,000 scholarship to be used in college, these students are also given the opportunity to attend the annual United States Senate Youth Program in Washington, DC, which is usually held in early March, when the weather is great in DC and you can see cherry blossoms. During this program, which lasts usually for about a week, students experience how the national government runs in action. They will hear major policy decisions being discussed by various senators and cabinet members, as well as by certain officials representing various departments such as the Department of Defense and the Department of State. They will even have the chance to meet the U.S. President, as well as the justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. All in all, this is a great opportunity in and of itself, as transportation, hotel and food expenses are all fully provided; these expenses are covered by the Hearst Foundations. The deadline for states to submit their delegate choices is usually at the beginning of December. 

Both junior and senior high school students can apply for these prestigious scholarships. They will need to first acquire the application form for the U.S. Senate Youth Program, otherwise called the USSYP application, from their schools (usually through the high school principal or the counselor) or from their state selection contacts (see the link below). Note that all of the selection is done exclusively by your state's officials; neither the U.S. Senate nor the Hearts Foundation are involved in providing applications for individual states or selecting the finalists/delegates.

As has been mentioned above, the most important criterion by far is the fact that you have served or are serving in a leadership role in your school, and of course that you are a junior or a senior. If you are not yet a junior, then that means, you now have the time to prepare and do your absolute best when the time comes, having accumulated all that leadership experience, the best advice highscholarships.com can give you. More specifically, note that high school juniors or seniors eligible for consideration must exhibit proven leadership through their involvement in elected or appointed roles where they actively represent or have previously represented a constituency in organizations associated with student government, education, public affairs, and community service. This means that it is crucial that they are currently serving in qualified leadership capacities, attending high school, and residing in the state (including the District of Columbia) they intend to represent for the entire academic year of 2023-2024. The legitimacy of all student leadership positions is subject to assessment and confirmation by state selection administrators.

Even more specifically, you need to keep the following three criteria in mind in preparing your application, so that you can have the best shot possible at being selected:

1. To be eligible for the USSYP for the 2023-2024 academic year, the student is required to hold a leadership role in the current academic year within specific organizations such as student government, civic groups, or educational bodies of some kind. These positions, including student body president, vice president, secretary, student body treasurer, class president, class vice president, secretary, class treasurer, student council representative, or officer roles in National Honor Society (including discipline-based Honor Societies), must be verified and approved by state selection administrators. Additionally, students serving in high-level representation positions for local, district, regional, or state-level civic, service, and/or educational organizations can be considered, subject to the approval of the state selection administrator.

2. It's important to note that participating in or holding officer positions in academic clubs, educational competition programs, conferences, or organizations primarily designed for personal development and enrichment do not meet the qualifications for USSYP. Specific positions such as attending or holding an officer position at Boys/Girls Nation or State summer conferences, being a member of the National Honor Society (unless serving as an elected officer for the entire school year), participating in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, sports teams, founding or chairing a self-created group, or engaging in activities like Mock Trial, Debate Team, Model U.N., or other academic clubs, mock legislatures, conferences, or competitions for individual educational enrichment do not qualify.

3. Exceptions to the residency requirement are limited. Students from DoDEA overseas will represent the state(s) where their parents/guardians are U.S. legal voting residents. Students attending DoD schools in the U.S. or enrolled through U.S. military bases in local schools must reside in the state where their school is located for the entire academic year. There is an allowance for students residing in a state different from their school location if they attend the only designated public high school available in a school district that crosses contiguous state borders through legal interstate agreement. In such cases, students must apply through the state where the high school is located and represent that state if selected. 

Testimonials from past winners of the U.S. Senate Youth Program reflect the profound impact the experience had on their futures. One 2022 winner shared, "Attending the USSYP opened my eyes to the intricacies of the U.S. government. Meeting with senators and the President was not only an honor but also confirmed my passion for public service. It solidified my determination to pursue a career in politics and law." Another winner noted, "This program was a transformative experience that allowed me to connect with like-minded students from all over the country. It reinforced the importance of leadership, public service, and working toward a better future for all Americans." Many of these winners have gone on to pursue successful careers in law, politics, and public policy, underscoring the lasting impact of this prestigious program.

Website: https://ussenateyouth.org 
Address: Check the address of your state contact here: https://ussenateyouth.org/selection_process_administrators/ 
Email: USSYP@hearstfdn.org