Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

United States Senate Youth Program

Annual scholarship competition administered by the California Department of Education.

Congratulations to the 2026 California delegates & alternates!

All public and private high schools in the state are invited to nominate up to two outstanding juniors or seniors who are interested in pursuing careers in public service to participate in the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), an educational program coordinated by the California Department of Education (CDE) and sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.

The 65th Annual Washington Week will be held in Washington, D.C., March 6–13, 2027.

Two student delegates from each state and the District of Columbia are selected to attend this unique educational experience and partake in a comprehensive, interactive leadership program. Students engage in a series of seminars and briefings with Senators and members of the House of Representatives, and meet with officials of the executive and judicial branches of government. Each student delegate also receives a one-time $12,500 college scholarship, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.

Students may qualify to apply through leadership positions they currently hold per the USSYP official criteria for the current 2026–27 academic year. All student leadership qualifying positions are subject to the judgment of the state selection administrator and will be verified and confirmed.

Program Background

In 1962, the United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution creating the USSYP, a national nonpartisan initiative to provide an annual opportunity for talented high school students with demonstrated leadership abilities to deepen their understanding of America's political processes and strengthen their resolve to pursue careers in public service. Each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity select two student delegates to participate in the USSYP.

The delegates from each state are awarded a $12,500 college scholarship and participate in Washington Week during the spring to deepen their understanding of America's political processes and strengthen their interest and desire for a career in public service. Students must attend the week-long program to receive the scholarship.

Students must be nominated by their high school principal to be considered for the USSYP and cannot apply directly to the program.

Important

  • Nominated students must be high school juniors or seniors currently serving in an elected or appointed leadership capacity in a student government, civic, or educational organization for the entire school year for which they are applying. See our Frequently Asked Questions for details.

  • Students must be actively serving in qualified leadership positions and actively representing a constituency in organizations that relate to government, education, public affairs, and/or community service.

  • Students must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States at the time of application, currently enrolled in a California public or private secondary school, and live in the state they will represent for the entire academic year for which they are applying.

2027 USSYP Timeline*

Date Activity
Late August 2026 2027 USSYP Announcement Letter Sent to County and District Superintendents, Charter School Administrators, and High School Principals
October 7, 2026 Completed Application Survey & Exam due at 3 p.m.
Mid-November 2026 Zoom Interviews with Finalists
Early December 2026 Student Delegates and Alternates Announced
January 13 or 14, 2027 U.S. Senate Youth Presentation at the California State Board of Education
March 6–13, 2027 65th Annual Washington Week

How to Apply: USSYP Instructions and Request for Application Form

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional Information

News Releases

Contact Us

For further information, please send an email to ussyp@cde.ca.gov.

  • Dina Fong, U.S. Senate Youth Program Coordinator
  • David Carriker, U.S. Senate Youth Program Assistant
Questions:   USSYP | ussyp@cde.ca.gov
Last Reviewed: Thursday, August 27, 2026
Trending in Transforming Schools: Superintendent’s Initiatives
Recently Posted in Transforming Schools: Superintendent’s Initiatives