The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution, is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students. Each year, two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity spend a week in Washington, D.C., experiencing their national government in action. Student delegates hear major policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies. Delegates also participate in a meeting with a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition, each delegate will be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship. All transportation, hotel and meal expenses are provided by the Hearst Foundations.
Massachusetts delegates must meet the following eligibility requirements:
Students must have been elected or appointed to a qualifying leadership post for the current school year.
Qualifying leadership posts include, but are not limited to:
Note: Being a member or a founder of a group or organization does not qualify a student for the USSYP. A position such as NHS member is not a qualifier, however, being an officer in HS or an equivalent discipline-based honor society, a position obtained though election, would. Attending Boys State or Girls State during the summer does not qualify a student even if they were serving in an elected position during the summer
***The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) Washington Week will be held March 4-11, 2023. Two students from each state will be selected to attend the program and each will receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship. Students may qualify to apply through leadership positions they currently hold per the USSYP official criteria for the current 2022-2023 academic year. All student leadership qualifying positions are subject to the judgement of the state selection administrator and will be verified and confirmed. ***
Application information:
2023 U.S. Senate Youth Program Brochure
Application Guidelines including Essay Topics
Application Form
Last Updated: September 2, 2022
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148-4906
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
Disclaimer: A reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.