U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship Program
2017-2018 United States 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 55th annual program will be held in Washington, D.C., from March 3 – 10, 2018. 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 2017-2018 Program Brochure, please click here.
To view the 2017-2018 Program Application, please find here.
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.
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.
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 or counselor, who will be responsible for administering the program.
How to Apply
How to Apply:
Complete the Student Application and Additional Documents Requested: 2017-2018 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 Wednesday, October 11, 2017 to the ADE Program Coordinator.
Once the application is received, ADE will mail testing materials to be completed by the applicant.
Exam must be administered by a high school counselor, principal or school scholarship coordinator to ensure integrity of the exam. Testing materials are due to ADE by Friday, November 3, 2017.
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
Wednesday, Oct. 11: Applications must be postmarked by no later than this date.
Monday, Oct. 16: Testing packets shall be sent.
Friday, Nov. 03: All testing materials are due (not postmarked!) to ADE.
TBA: Top 10 percent of Arizona test-takers will be notified of finalist status.
TBA: Finalists will be interviewed at 1535 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix.
December: Winners will be notified.
March 3-10, 2018: Winners will spend one week in Washington, D.C.
You will be contacted on Friday November 10, 2017 if you are a finalist.
Finalist interviews will be conducted on (TBA).
All applicants will be notified by email if they are not a finalist.
Winners will be notified in December
Contact Information:
Mailing Address:
Arizona Department of Education
U.S. Senate Youth Program Coordinator:
Patti Hultstrand
1535 West Jefferson, Bin 2
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Tel.: (602) 542-7417
Program Coordinator: Patti Hultstrand
Email: [email protected]
