United States Senate Youth Program

The application will open on July 1, 2026.

Each year, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation sponsors two high school juniors or seniors from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia to attend the United States Senate Youth Program - an all-expense-paid, week-long tour of Washington, DC, and to receive a $12,500 scholarship. In Washington State, the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) administers the program in conjunction with AWSL.

AWSP appoints a committee in the fall to review nominees from all the camps, who then interview each finalist and select two as delegates for the State of Washington. There is also an alternative path outside of AWSL Summer Programs for all juniors and seniors throughout Washington who fit the criteria.

The student must be a citizen or permanent resident in possession of a green card at the time of application.

Check out the official USSYP Brochure.

2026-2027 Dates:

  • Applications open - Tuesday, July 1st

  • Online USSYP Application Due - Friday, September 25th

  • Finalists Notified - Thursday, October 8th

  • Finalist Interviews - Friday, November 6th

Criteria:

Qualified high school juniors or seniors must show demonstrated leadership by serving in elected or appointed positions in which they are actively representing or previously represented a constituency in organizations related to student government, education, public affairs, and community service. They must be actively serving in qualified leadership positions, enrolled in high school, and living in the state (and for these purposes, the District of Columbia) that they will represent for the entire 2026 – 2027 academic year.  All student leadership positions are subject to the judgment and verification of the state selection administrators. 

For more information about the United States Senate Youth Program, see the program brochure or visit their website.

How to apply:

The 65th Annual Washington Week will take place March 6-13, 2027, with current planning for a timely national selection process and an in-person program in Washington, D.C., pending public health and safety guidelines for travel and indoor gatherings. Please check the US Senate Youth Scholarship site for updates as we monitor the situation.

For the 2025-2026 school year, each applicant must complete:

  • The digital application (see below)

  • The activities resume (The activities resume is just like a traditional resume with activities, education, community service, awards, etc.)

  • A letter of recommendation from their Activity Adviser (from the position connected to your qualified leadership role), Principal, Assistant Principal, Superintendent, or adult in a similar key position. Letters of recommendation can be sent directly to us from the recommender and/or you. They do not need to be sent confidentially.

  • A 250-word essay on a significant leadership trait by 4:00 pm on September 25, 2026. 

  • COMPLETED materials can be sent to Roz Thompson (roz@awsp.org)

The application will be reviewed by a selection committee, which will then select up to 15 finalists who will participate in the final selection process via Zoom on November 6, 2026. Finalists must be available on this day in order to participate. The Washington State winners will be announced in early December.  The winners will join other state winners for a week in Washington, D.C., in March 2027. Winners must be able to attend all days of this Washington Week.

The Association of Washington Student Leaders is a division of the Washington School Principals’ Education Foundation

Sponsored by the Association of Washington School Principals