Leadership and civics
USSYP (United States Senate Youth Program)
USSYP is a 1-week residential program run by United States Senate and The Hearst Foundations. Open to: high school juniors and seniors.
- Application deadline
- Varies by state
- Cost
- Free with stipend
- Who can apply
- Grades 11 to 12
- current grade when applying
- Length
- 1 week
- Residential
What students do
Delegates spend a week in Washington hearing from senators, cabinet members and agency leaders. They meet a Supreme Court justice and usually the President, and visit historic sites.
- Government
- Public service
- Leadership
- History
- Political science
Key facts
- Run by
- United States Senate and The Hearst Foundations
- Where
- Washington, DC (residential)
- Who can apply
- High school juniors and seniorsMust be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, hold a qualifying elected or appointed student leadership position for the whole 2026-2027 school year, and attend high school in the state where a parent or guardian lives.
- Dates
- March 6 to 13, 2027 (Washington Week)
- Cost
- Free; transportation, hotel and meals are provided by The Hearst FoundationsStipend: $12,500 college scholarship for undergraduate studies
- Deadline
- Varies by state; December 1, 2026 is the national deadline for states to submit their selections
- Selectivity
- Two student delegates are selected from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity.
How a mentor helps with your USSYP application
- Decide whether USSYP fits, and which similar programs to apply to alongside it.
- Work backward from the deadline so essays, recommendations, and forms are not left to the last week.
- Draft and revise the essays or short answers with one-on-one feedback.
Email me the USSYP deadlines and requirements
A link to this page, plus our list of similar programs.
Similar programs
| Program | Where | Who can apply | Cost | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALA Girls NationAmerican Legion Auxiliary | Washington, DCResidential | ALA Girls State participants entering their senior year | Not posted | Not posted |
| Boys NationThe American Legion | Washington, DCResidential | Boys State participants (rising seniors) | Not posted | Not posted |
| ALA Girls StateAmerican Legion Auxiliary | Multiple locationsResidential | High school students who have completed their junior year | Free | Not posted |
| Boys StateThe American Legion | Multiple locationsResidential | High school juniors | Not posted | Not posted |
| Leadership SeminarsUniversity of Notre Dame Office of Pre-College Programs | Notre Dame, INResidential | Current high school juniors | Free | January 20, 2027 |
All leadership and civics programsPrograms in Washington, D.C.Every program
Frequently asked questions
When is the USSYP application deadline?
The deadline is Varies by state; December 1, 2026 is the national deadline for states to submit their selections.
How much does USSYP cost?
Free; transportation, hotel and meals are provided by The Hearst Foundations. Stipend: $12,500 college scholarship for undergraduate studies.
Who can apply to USSYP?
High school juniors and seniors. Must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, hold a qualifying elected or appointed student leadership position for the whole 2026-2027 school year, and attend high school in the state where a parent or guardian lives.
How hard is it to get into USSYP?
Two student delegates are selected from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity.
Read from the program’s own site and last checked 2026-10-09. Programs change dates, fees, and requirements each year, so confirm on the official site before you apply. Dewey Smart is not affiliated with this program.
