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 64th annual United States Senate Youth Program Washington Week is March 7–14, 2026. 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.
2026 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.
To Apply
The 2025-26 USSYP Scholarship application period is now closed! The 2026-27 application period will open in August of 2026.
If you have questions, contact Kristen Bokovoy, Montana USSYP Coordinator, 406-444-2417.
2026 USSYP Delegates
Makenna Monroe, a senior at Stevensville High School, serves as the National Honor Society President. She also serves as the Captain of her school's Speech and Debate team and an officer in both Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA). Makenna has served as former President of Key Club, was previously involved in Mock Trial, is active in Academic World Quest, and is a mentor to younger students in her school's Big Jacket program. As a participant in the Mansfield Center's Project Bridge Youth Diplomacy Program, she furthered her knowledge of global diplomacy and international cooperation in South Korea. With a passion for civic progress and equality, she also volunteers on her local library community board and helps register local voters in the hopes of increasing youth voter turnout. Makenna plans to study political science and international relations in college, and is inspired to fight for equality, peace, and education on a global scale.
Cecelia Spencer, a junior at Hellgate High School, serves as the Junior Class President. A descendant of the Salish, Gros Ventre and Yakima Tribes, she is President of the Indigenous Student Union and has spent the last two years working on a project to integrate Salish language within her school through language-based art installations. She was a participant in the United States Youth Ambassador program to Ecuador and is Co-President of Model UN. Cecelia worked on a political campaign, helped organize student trips to the Montana legislature to engage students in the political process and worked to bring homecoming festivities back to her school by raising thousands of dollars for the event. In everything that she does, highlighting her peers' voices is at the forefront of her leadership. Cecelia is also a recipient of the Jeanette Rankin Youth Peacemaker award and a recipient of a United Way Outstanding Young Philanthropist award for 2025 for volunteering in her community and helping to organize a Thanksgiving canned food drive. She hopes to major in political science in college.
Chosen as alternates for the 2026 program were Ellie Langaunet, a resident of Missoula who attends Frenchtown High School, and Axel Butler, a resident of Bozeman who attends Gallatin High School.
For information about the Montana USSYP Scholarship, email Kristen Bokovoy, USSYP Coordinator, or call 406-444-2417.