The California Department of Education administers the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), an annual scholarship competition sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation and endorsed by the United States Senate. Each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia select two high school juniors or seniors to participate in the USSYP.
The delegates receive a $10,000 college scholarship and attend a one-week, all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. from March 2–9, 2019, to deepen their understanding of America's political processes and strengthen their interest and desire for a career in public service.
Students must be nominated by their high school principal to be considered for the USSYP and cannot apply to the USSYP directly.
IMPORTANT! Nominated students must be high school juniors or seniors currently serving in an elected or appointed leadership capacity in a student government, civic, or educational organization for the entire 2018–19 school year.*
Students must be actively serving in qualified leadership positions, and actively representing a constituency in organizations that relate to government, education, public affairs, and/or community service.
Students must be actively serving in qualified leadership positions, and actively representing a constituency in organizations that relate to government, education, public affairs, and/or community service.
Students must be a permanent resident of the United States, currently enrolled in a California public or private secondary school, and living in the state they will represent for the entire 2018–2019 academic year.
Interested applicants as well as principals and counselors should read the instructions and FAQs carefully before students complete the online application and take the exam.
The deadline to apply for the 2019 USSYP is Friday, October 5, 2018.
Application & Instructions
- California Instructions — Must read before doing the online application & exam.
- Part A-California Student Application and Principal's Nomination Form (PDF) — Needs to be mailed and postmarked by Friday, October 5, 2018!
- Part B-California Student Application & Exam (Online Survey)
Frequently Asked Questions
Background
- Letter to High School Principals, Counselors, and Scholarship Coordinators
- William Randolph Hearst Foundation
— Information from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation's Web site regarding the 2019 United States Senate Youth Program as well as a copy of their USSYP brochure.
Contact Information
For further information, contact:
Dina Fong, U.S. Senate Youth Program Coordinator
E-mail: dfong@cde.ca.govPhone: 916-319-0551
E-mail: dfong@cde.ca.govPhone: 916-319-0551
David Carriker, U.S. Senate Youth Program Assistant
E-mail: dcarriker@cde.ca.govPhone: 916-319-0173
E-mail: dcarriker@cde.ca.govPhone: 916-319-0173
