United States Senate Youth Program

*** Deadline has closed for 2023 ***

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 $10,000 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 the nominees from all of the camps, who then interview each finalist and select two as the 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.

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

Check out the official USSYP Brochure.

2023 - 2024 Dates:

  • July 1: USSYP Application Open to Students

  • September 22: Applications Due

  • Sept 23-Oct 6: Review Applications and Select Finalists

  • Week of Oct 9: Notify Finalists

  • November 3: Materials from Finalists Due

  • November 9: Interview Finalists (Virtual)

  • December 1: Notify USSYP of the Winners (and then notify finalists/winners)

  • March 2024: Washington Week


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 have 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 2023 – 20234 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, the 2023 program press release, or visit their website.

How to apply

The 62nd Annual Washington Week will take place March 2-9, 2024, 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 2023-2024 school year, each applicant must complete:

  • The digital application (see below)

  • The activities resume

  • A letter of recommendation from their activity adviser,

  • A 250-word essay on a significant leadership trait by 4:00 pm on September 22, 2023. 

  • COMPLETED materials can be sent to Julie Woods (julie@awsp.org)

The application will be reviewed by a selection committee and then the committee will select up to 15 finalists who will participate in the final selection process via Zoom on November 9, 2023. Finalists must be available this day in order to participate. The Washington State winners will be announced in early December by our state senators’ offices.  The winners will join other state winners for a week in Washington, D.C. in March 2024. 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