The US Senate Youth Program Scholarship is sponsored by the The Hearst Foundations.
The Hearst Foundations believe it is in the public interest to encourage outstanding young people to continue their educational development. To this end, the foundations will make available to each of the 104 delegates selected to participate in the program a $10,000 college scholarship award for undergraduate studies, subject to specific conditions and requirements.
Washington Week Program and College Scholarship
The 61st annual United States Senate Youth Program Washington Week is being planned for March 4–11, 2023. The program may be held online pending public health guidance and status of large group access to the government venues traditionally visited. If held in person, all delegates will be required to be fully vaccinated and boosted to attend.
All eligible students are encouraged to apply. A final decision regarding the in-person program will be determined in the fall of 2022, with adequate time for students to complete the full vaccination series prior to travel. If held online, vaccination status will not be required. Students must attend the program to receive the scholarship. Regardless of platform, all student delegates will partake in a comprehensive, interactive leadership program in the stated timeframe, and each will receive the $10,000 college scholarship in the name of the United States Senate.
2023 BROCHURE
How to Qualify
- Be a junior or senior in a Montana public, private, or charter high school.
- Hold a leadership position 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.
- Student body president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer
- Class president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer
- Student Council representative
- National Honor Society officer
- Student representative elected or appointed (by a panel, commission, or board) to a local, district, regional, state-level civic, service, and/or educational organization
- Be a permanent resident of the United States at the time of application
- Be a Montana resident at the time of application
For more information on eligibility, code of conduct, and complete rules, see the USSYP Website.
Montana Requirements
This year's complete application packet will be submitted electronically.
In addition, the Hearst Foundations requires that the applicant’s principal or guidance counselor formally endorse each candidate. For Montana’s application packet, this endorsement is a signed letter of recommendation from one of these approved recommenders.
Check back here in August of 2023 for the next application period!
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.