US Senate Youth Program Scholarship

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 $12,500 college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.

Washington Week Program and College Scholarship

The 65th annual United States Senate Youth Program Washington Week will be held March 6–13, 2027. All student delegates will participate in the comprehensive, interactive leadership program, and each will receive a $12,500 college scholarship in the name of the United States Senate. Washington Week and the scholarship are one inseparable award. 

2027 BROCHURE

How to Qualify

  • Be a junior or senior in a Montana public, private, or charter high school. 

  • 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.

    • 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 United States citizen or legal permanent resident at the time of application

  • 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 2026-27 application period will open in August of 2026! Please check back then for the application packet.

 

If you have questions, contact Kristen Bokovoy, Montana USSYP Coordinator, at 406-444-2417.