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.

To view the 2019-2020 Program Application, please click 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. If a selected student is unable to participate, 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.

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 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.
Students must hold a leadership position described above during the entire 2019-2020 academic year.
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: 2019-2020 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 Tuesday, October 1, 2019 to the ADE Program Coordinator.
Once the application is received, ADE will mail testing materials to the Exam Administrator on Friday, October 11th 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 24, 2019.

WHAT TO STUDY FOR THE EXAM:

To prepare for the examination, students are advised to study the United States Constitution, review general knowledge about American history, the U.S. government and political process, as well as know the current elected and appointed officials in each branch of government and key historical figures who have served in each branch. Additionally, Senate Youth delegates should have knowledge and understanding of current events shaping national and international politics.

Timeline – Important Deadlines

Tuesday, October 1: Applications must be postmarked by no later than this date.
Friday, October 11: Testing packets will be mailed.
Friday, October 26: All testing materials are due (not postmarked!) to the ADE office.
By Friday, 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.
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.

Student Achievement