Established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution, the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) is an intensive educational experience designed for high school leaders committed to public service. Each year, two delegates from every state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) are selected to represent their communities at Washington Week in Washington, D.C.
The Washington Week Experience
The 65th annual Washington Week will be held in person from March 6–13, 2027. Selected student delegates will experience federal leadership firsthand through a high-level itinerary that includes:
- Policy & Leadership Addresses: Keynote presentations by U.S. Senators, Cabinet Secretaries, Department of State and Defense officials, and federal agency directors.
- High-Level Meetings: Private sessions with a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
- Historic Visits: Guided access to national monuments, historic sites, and the White House.
- Scholarship & Funding: All transportation, hotel, and meal expenses for Washington Week are fully funded by The Hearst Foundations. Additionally, selected delegates earn a $12,500 undergraduate college scholarship—recently increased from $10,000—to support their higher education and encourage continued study in government, history, and public policy.
To qualify, high school juniors or seniors must hold a leadership position for the current 2026-2027 academic year in any one of the following student government, civic, or educational organizations, which include:
- Student body president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer.
- Class president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer.
- Student Council representative.
- National Honor Society officer (including discipline-based Honor Societies such as the National English Society and Social Studies Honor Societies that include service components).
- Student representative (elected or 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.
- Students who hold officer-level leadership positions within their cadet corps, often called Cadet Corps Commander. (JROTC cadet alone will NOT qualify).
Students will need to complete the online application. The school principal and or school contact will be notified after the application is submitted to confirm requirements.
