United States Senate Youth Program

In 1962, the United States Senate voted unanimously to endorse a nationwide youth program to bring high school students to Washington, DC for a brief introduction to the functions of the federal government. The program was created and authorized by Senate Resolution 234 and has been reauthorized ever since. The original resolution specified that the program be "supported by private funds with no expense to the federal government". As a result, The Hearst Foundations assumed financial support of the program and continues its sponsorship today.

The annual United States Senate Youth Program authorizes the selection of 104 student delegates, two from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Office of Dependents Schools. The delegates are immersed in Washington activities throughout their week-long stay. Their stops include visits to the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Supreme Court, and the Pentagon. Delegates hear major addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials of the Department of State and the Department of Defense, as well as other federal departments.

Each year, the Hearst Foundations pay all expenses for the week-long Washington stay, including transportation, hotel accommodations, and meals. Members of all branches of the US military chaperone the students for the week. Each delegate is awarded a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies.

The 62^nd Annual Washington Week was March 2-9, 2024. 

Basic Qualifications

The student must:

• be serving in an elected or appointed position representing a constituency during the entire 2024-2025 school year;
• be a junior or senior attending high school in Texas during the 2024-2025 school year;
• be interested in and participating in leadership, public service and government related activities;
• be able to attend the entire 2025 Washington Week in March 2025; and
• have US citizenship or legal permanent residence status on application date.

Additional information and program rules:

• United States Senate Youth Program

Texas Application Process

Please contact your high school principal to determine if you will be the sole choice to represent your school as the candidate for the US Senate Youth Program (USSYP). The principal's signature is a requirement on the application, so communicating with your school officials should be your first step.

As part of that discussion, you and your principal (or counselor or Student Council Advisor) will review the details of your leadership roles in relationship to the eligibility requirements set forth in the 2024 USSYP Brochure (not yet available).

2025 Applications will be available late August 2024. 

United States Senate Youth Program Texas Delegates

2024 Delegate

2024 Delegate

2023 Delegate

2023 Delegate

Content Updated 3/11/2024