United States Senate Youth Program

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 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

• 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

David Carriker, U.S. Senate Youth Program Assistant
E-mail: dcarriker@cde.ca.govPhone: 916-319-0173

The Horatio Alger Scholarship Program

The Horatio Alger Scholarship Program is one of the major scholarship programs nationally that specifically assists high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives. The National Scholarship is valued at $25,000. State scholarships are awarded to eligible students in all fifty states and the District of Columbia and are valued up to $10,000. To be eligible for either the Horatio Alger National Scholarship or Horatio Alger State Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria: 

• Be enrolled full time as a high school senior in the United States; be progressing normally toward graduation in spring/summer of 2018 with plans to enter a college in the United States no later than the fall following graduation
• Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited non-profit public or private institution in the United States (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution)
• Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required)
• Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities
• Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity
• Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0; and
• Be a United States citizen

Students can apply at application.horatioalger.org

Deadline: October 25, 2018

Maritime Alliance Blue Economy Summer Immersion Program

The Maritime Alliance Blue Economy Summer Immersion program is a three-day program introducing students to the Blue Economy. This program is designed for students entering their Junior or Senior year this Fall. This free program will introduce students to the Blue Economy, provide them with Maritime history, introduce them to required skills, and potential careers in the industry. The program will be offered from August 6-8 and again for a second group August 13 - 15.

The immersion program is a great opportunity to gain skills and valuable information needed in this growing industry. Some of the summer immersion program hosts are currently hosting BlueSTEM summer internships through The Maritime Alliance program. It is a great time to get to know these companies. We still have space available, so please share the information with friends and classmates. Interested students can register here.

Program Summary:

Monday, August 6th OR Monday, August 13th:
Start time: 8:45am
End Time: 4:00pm
Location: Maritime Museum of San Diego, 1492 N. Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101


Tuesday, August 7th OR Tuesday, August 14th:
Start time: 9:00am
End time: 4:00pm
Location: Training Resources Limited, 3980 Sherman St. Suite 100, San Diego 92110


Wednesday, August 8th OR Wednesday, August 15th:
Start time: 9:00am
End time: 4:00pm
Location: Coastal Marine Institute Laboratory, 4165 Spruance Rd, Dr, San Diego, CA 92106

Become a Trained Tutor at Mesa College

Service Academy Seminar

Smith College- Women of Distinction Program

The Women of Distinction program for high school seniors highlights the opportunities that Smith College offers for African American, Asian American, Latina and Native American students. Participants in this three-day program will explore Smith College to determine whether it might be an appropriate college choice for them. Students will live in campus houses, experience the academic and social life at Smith, and attend panels and workshops on student life and the college admission process.

Admission to Women of Distinction is a competitive process based on academic and personal qualities. Please note that only current high school juniors are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously visited Smith. Smith will provide round-trip transportation, meals and accommodations for all selected participants.

International students studying in the U.S. and U.S. students studying abroad are not eligible to apply to Women of Distinction. However, undocumented students are encouraged to apply.

Application with the additional information noted below must be submitted to the Office of Admission by June 15, 2018.

• High school transcript including junior grades (unofficial copy will be accepted)
• Essay and short answer section
• List of senior year courses

Applicants should have the required items above attached before clicking "submit" on the Women of Distinction application form. This form cannot be edited once it has been submitted. Any additional or updated materials will need to be emailed to admission@smith.edu.

https://www.smith.edu/women-distinction-program

All applicants will be notified by email on or about July 27 and selected participants will be given instructions about arranging travel and other program details.

California Conservation Corps Opportunities

The CCC (www.ccc.ca.gov) provides paid opportunities for youth to serve their state protecting and restoring California’s environment, responding to disasters, and becoming stronger citizens, students and individuals through full-time job training. It's a chance for individuals to explore projects with different agencies during their year in the Corps and perhaps find something of interest. Corpsmembers are young men and women 18-25 years of age from all walks of life who sign up for a challenging year of service to California’s natural resources and communities. It is also a chance to earn scholarship money (up to $7,775) to use in academic or vocational schools after the CCC.


The CCC offers a transfer program for students who may benefit from an alternative high school diploma program. They can be automatically enrolled to earn their diploma while getting paid through their CCC work. It consists of direct instruction, small class sizes, as well as a career pathways program. There are statewide residential locations and local non-residential sites.

2018 Summer Mentoring Program

July 9th to August 10th

High School and College Student Aged Youth (age 13 and above)

Connect with a career professional and be exposed to the diverse opportunities in various City of San Diego Departments! 

OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO!
https://www.sandiego.gov/volunteer-program

STEPS TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM

• (1) Apply for a mentorship opportunity! 
• (2) Interview:  June 7th 2:30-5:30pm Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library: 5148 Market St., 92114 
• (3) Complete 30 hours with a mentor 
• (4) Attend Trainings 1, 2, and 3 (one of each!) 
• (5) Come to the FINALE CELEBRATION! 

Training 1: ART of Inclusive Communication

• July 11th, 12:30-4:30pm | Martin Luther King Jr. Rec. Center, 6401 Skyline Drive, 92114


Training 2: Bite of Reality Financial Literacy Workshop

• June 13th, 9:30 am-12:30pm | Shiley Special Events Suite, Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., 92101

• July 19th, 9:30 am-12:30pm | Scripps Ranch Branch Library, 10301 Scripps Lake Drive, 92131


Training 3: Bridge to Employment and Panel Discussion with the City of San Diego

• June 21st, 2:30pm-4:30pm | Pacific Beach/Taylor Branch Library, 4275 Cass St., 92109

• July 26th, 2:30pm-4:30pm | Mira Mesa Branch Library, 8405 New Salem St., 92126


SUMMER MENTORING PROGRAM FINALE CELEBRATION

August 23rd Wednesday, 4-6pm | Shiley Special Events Suite, Central Library, 330 Park Blvd, 92101

ALL TRAINING DATES INCLUDE FOOD!

Visit https://www.sandiego.gov/volunteer-program to apply

Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce (CSDBCC) Scholarship

The Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce will award scholarships of $ 2,000 each to graduating high school seniors. Scholarships are paid upon verification of college enrollment.

Eligibility: The scholarship is open to all high school seniors graduating by June 2019 who live in a community serviced by the Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce. Special consideration may be given to those who have a history of involvement with the Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce.

Requirements: Each applicant will be expected to scan and upload your most recent transcript (with social or student ID# redacted) and letters of recommendation from school and/or community service activity leaders to google drive, dropbox, or onedrive or similar and provide URL at end of application process. It is recommended that this step be completed before beginning to apply.

Applications will be considered complete when they include:

1. Application
2. Essay
3. Transcript
4. Progress Report
5. Family Financial Information
6. Letter(s) of Recommendation From School and/or Community Service/Extracurricular Activity Leader(s)
7. List of Community Service/Extracurricular Activities
8. Submission no later than Friday, September 14, 2018

Click here for application.

KyXy Radio and Kaiser Permanente Get Fit and Thrive Challenge

Get your students ages 6-14 started on a summer of fitness by challenging them to participate in the Kaiser Permanente Get Fit and Thrive Challenge!

By performing easy activities such as reading, doing a healthy activity, going for a bike ride, or visiting the Kaiser Permanente website for healthy living tips, participants will win one ticket to unlimited rides at Belmont Park. All participants will be entered to win the grand prize of a weekend getaway for a family of four at the Hotel Del Coronado.

To take part in the challenge, students need to download a challenge card, complete five easy activities, and enter the challenge. Challenge cards will also be available at any YMCA in San Diego County.
 

Click here for more details.

Girls Tech Camp