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 58th annual program will be held in Washington, D.C., March 7-14, 2020. Two student leaders from each state and the District of Columbia will spend a week in Washington, D.C. 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. 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.

The new 2019-2020 Program Application can be downloaded 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, 2019.

Scholarship Rules

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

A student MUST participate in the Washington Week during March 7-14, 2020. If a selected student is unable to participate in Washington Week, the merits of their 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 their undergraduate program. The student does not need to declare a major in government or political science.
Students will be asked to abide by the USSYP Code of Conduct.

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 or appointed position in a student organization (see below for more information).
Students must hold a leadership position described above during the entire 2019-2020 academic year.
Students must be U.S. Citizens or legal permanent residents at the time of application.
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.

Eligible Student Leadership Positions:

Student Body president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer.
Class president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer.
Student Council representative.
A National Honor Society officer (including discipline-based Honor Societies such as the National English 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 Arizona Department of Education. (Please contact ADE if you have questions regarding your eligibility.)

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

Attendance or officer 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 clubs, conference or competition where the primary engagement is for individual educational enrichment.

Delegates are selected through the Arizona Department of Education. For more detailed information, visit the U.S. Senate Youth website at http://ussenateyouth.org/.

How to Apply

How to Apply:

Complete the Student Application & Additional Documents Requested:

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 e-mailed or postmarked by the day of Tuesday, October 1, 2019, to the ADE Program Coordinator.

Timeline – Important Deadlines

Thursday, August 1: Application goes live.
Tuesday, October 1: Applications and additional documents (one letter of recommendation) must be postmarked or e-mailed no later than this date.
TBD November: Finalists will be interviewed at 1535 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix. Time will be scheduled when finalists are contacted.
TBD December: Winners and Alternates will be notified.
March 7-14, 2020: Winners will spend one week in Washington, D.C.

Contact Information

E-mail [email protected] with questions about the program & application.

Final applications can be e-mailed or sent via postal mail. Students should send the physical copy of their application to:

Arizona Department of Education
U.S. Senate Youth Program Coordinators:
Linnea Bennett & Emily O’Neil
1535 West Jefferson, Bin 2
Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Tel.: (602) 542-5344

E-mail: [email protected]

Student Achievement