U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship Program

The United States Senate Youth Program, established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution, is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service. The 57th annual program will be held in Washington, D.C., in March 2019. Two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity will spend a week in Washington experiencing their national government in action. Student delegates will hear major policy addresses by Senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies, as well as participate in a meeting with a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. All transportation, hotel and meal expenses will be provided by The Hearst Foundations. In addition, each delegate will also be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.

For more information, please visit: http://ussenateyouth.org/

To view the Program Brochure, please click here.

To view the 2018-2019 Program Application, please find here. Print and fill-out the application and include all requirements before submitting paperwork. Applications and other items to submit MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2018.

Scholarship Rules

These rules will govern the award of the $10,000 Scholarship

A student MUST participate in the Washington Week. If a selected student is unable to participate, merits of his or her reasons will be considered by the program director relative to the scholarship award.

A student must, within two years after high school graduation, enroll at an accredited United States college or university and attend courses in government or related subjects to his or her undergraduate program.

Student Leadership Positions

We made a small change to the 2018 USSYP Official Brochure noting that an officer position in the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society will qualify.

Basically if the student is in an ongoing year-round leadership position actively serving a constituency.

Or in the community in a high-level capacity, these positions will qualify.

Public service is our primary mission! Organizations such as FFA, FBLA, Key Club and other national service groups are allowable organizations if the student is serving in an ongoing and active high-level elected or appointed leadership position.

NOT QUALIFIED LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

Students who create their own nonprofit groups and/or appoint themselves president are NOT qualified by that position.

An officer position for a student’s academic enrichment experience like Mock Trial or Debate Team does not qualify because it is not primarily in the service of others.

NEW for 2019: Participation or holding an officer position in academic clubs and/or educational competition programs/conferences DO NOT QUALIFY a student for the USSYP, although many students who qualify through other positions do participate in these activities.

The positions specifically listed below DO NOT qualify the student for this program:

Attendance or office positions in Boys/Girls Nation or State summer conferences.

Members of a National Honor Society (without holding an elected officer position).

A founder or chairperson of a self-created group.

A participant, captain, or officer in Mock Trial, Debate Team, Model UN or other academic club, conference or competition where the primary engagement is for individual educational enrichment.

How to Qualify

How to Qualify:

Students must be a permanent resident of the State of Arizona and currently enrolled as a junior or senior in a public or private secondary school.

Students must be currently serving in an elected capacity in a student organization.

High school counselors will administer a written test covering U.S. Constitution, bill of rights history, political leaders, and Arizona government. Students scoring in the top 10% will be invited to interview before a panel of judges. The panel then selects two students to go to Washington to represent Arizona and two alternates in case a winner can’t attend.

Important: Please note that all finalists must be able to confirm their proof of citizenship or legal permanent resident status in order to participate in the United States Senate Youth Program.

Delegates are selected through the Arizona Department of Education. For more detailed information, visit the Web site at http://ussenateyouth.org/ and contact your high school principal, counselor, or whomever will be responsible for administering the test.

It is the responsibility of the student to contact and confirm a qualified administrator, counselor or teacher to administer the test. Parents or persons not working as an educator in some capacity do not qualify. The Arizona Department of Education’s Awards and Scholarships Coordinator cannot administer this test due to conflict of interest.

How to Apply

How to Apply:

Complete the Student Application and Additional Documents Requested: 2018-2019 application

Attach the required essay questions to the application.

Include at least one letter of recommendation with the application (cannot be from a parent or family member).

Completed applications and all supporting additional documents must be postmarked by day of Monday, October 1, 2018 to the ADE Program Coordinator.

Once the application is received, ADE will mail testing materials to the Exam Administrator on Friday, October 12th to be completed by the applicant.

Exam must be administered by a high school counselor, principal, school scholarship coordinator, or available teacher to ensure integrity of the exam. Testing materials will be due to ADE office by Thursday, October 26, 2018.

WHAT TO STUDY FOR THE EXAM:

To prepare for the examination, students are advised to study the Constitution, review general knowledge about American history, the U.S. government and political processes and know the current elected and appointed official in each branch of government as well as key historic figures who have served in each branch. Senate Youth delegates are always up to speed on current events in the political world, at home and abroad, and keeping current with political news and newsmakers will be very helpful.

Timeline – Important Deadlines

Monday, Oct. 1, 2018: Applications must be postmarked by no later than this date.

Friday, Oct. 12: Testing packets shall be mailed.

Friday, October 26: All testing materials are due (not postmarked!) into the ADE office.

By Thursday, November 1: Approximately, the top 10 percent of Arizona test-takers will be notified of finalist status.
NOTE TO STUDENTS: Due to the number of students applying for this scholarship, the ADE Coordinator will ONLY email those who have passed to final interview status.

Thursday, November 8: Finalists will be interviewed at 1535 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix. Time will be scheduled when finalists are contacted.

December: Winners and Alternates will be notified sometime in December.

March 2019: Winners will spend one week in Washington, D.C.; March 2-9, 2019.

Student Achievement