The US Senate Youth Program Scholarship is sponsored by the The Hearst Foundations.
The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) is an intensive week-long educational experience and scholarship sponsored by the Hearst Foundations and the United States Senate for outstanding high school students who are interested in pursuing careers in public service. High school junior and seniors may qualify to apply through leadership positions they currently hold per the USSYP official criteria for the current academic year.
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 usually participate in meetings with the president and 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.
Washington Week Program and College Scholarship
The 62nd annual United States Senate Youth Program Washington Week is being planned for March 2–9, 2024. All student delegates will partake in the comprehensive, interactive leadership program, and each will receive the $10,000 college scholarship in the name of the United States Senate. Washington Week and the scholarship are one inseparable award. All eligible students are encouraged to apply.
2024 BROCHURE
How to Qualify
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Be a junior or senior in a Montana public, private, or charter high school.
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Hold a leadership position for the entire school year representing a constituency in any one of the following student government, civic, or educational organizations. Leadership roles are subject to verification and judgement of the state selection administrator.
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Student body president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer
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Class president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer
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Student Council representative
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National Honor Society officer
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Student representative elected or appointed (by a panel, commission, or board) to a local, district, regional, state-level civic, service, and/or educational organization
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Be a United States citizen or legal permanent resident at the time of application
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Be a Montana resident at the time of application
An applicant's high school principal must sign and verify the student’s application submission and nomination to the program.
For more information on eligibility, code of conduct, and complete rules, see the USSYP Website.
Montana Requirements
Complete application packets will be submitted electronically.
This year’s application packet has a number of additional steps requested by The Hearst Foundations, so please read the application form carefully and remember that it must be filled out completely and include all required attachments. An application packet that is missing parts will be automatically disqualified.
2023-24 APPLICATION FORM
Click the link and save the form to your system.
Your electronic application packet must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m., Monday, October 2, 2023.
2023 USSYP Delegates
Lily Miller, a senior at Hellgate High School in Missoula, serves as the National Honor Society president. Inspired by Senator Mike Mansfield, she is no stranger to service and accolades. Her service includes serving as the Student Body secretary and her own Lily’s Lovebirds project, a fundraiser to support girls’ education in Asia, as well as serving as a youth ambassador in Korea for the University of Montana Mansfield Center’s Project Bridge diplomacy program. Lily also volunteers with several initiatives focused on increasing girls' participation in sports. She received the Serve Montana Award from the governor of Montana, was recognized by the George H.W. Bush Foundation (Points of Light) and was named one of the Top 25 under 25 in Montana. Lily hopes to pursue a career in political economy, combining her love of math and diplomacy.
Alec Wells, a junior at C.M. Russell High School in Great Falls, serves as a Junior Class president. AJ has been an active member of Student Council since middle school and is a strong leader participating in many student leadership events while maintaining excellent academics including AP and Honors classes. He was selected for the Ambassador Leadership Summit at Harvard University in 2020. AJ is also a committed member of the community, volunteering at a local hospital. His wide-ranging interests and activities include piano, golf, track and field, football, and aviation. With a strong family background in military service and law enforcement, AJ aspires to attend a military academy to pursue history, science, and technology.
Chosen as alternates to the 2023 program were Victoria Newmiller, a junior at Choteau High School, and Keiran Boyle, a senior from Helena's Capital High School.
For information about the Montana USSYP Scholarship, email Kristen Bokovoy, USSYP Coordinator, or call 406-444-2417.