2025-2026 U.S. Senate Youth Program

2025-2026 U.S. Senate Youth Program
Washington Week - March 7-14, 2026

Student Application Form
The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), is a national nonpartisan initiative to provide an annual opportunity for talented high school students with demonstrated leadership abilities to deepen their understanding of America’s political processes and strengthen their resolve to pursue careers in public service. The USSYP brings the highest-level officials from each branch of government to meet with this outstanding group of young leaders—two high school juniors or seniors from each of the fifty states, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA)—for an intensive week-long education and leadership program held in Washington, D.C. The program is merit-based and highly competitive.

Washington Week will be held March 7-14, 2026, ON SITE in Washington, D.C. All confirmed student delegates will partake in a comprehensive, interactive leadership program in the stated timeframe, and each will receive the $10,000 college scholarship in the name of the United States Senate. The program will have a strong focus on public service, leadership, and education experience. Students will hear from speakers from the three branches of government and the national media. Additional details will be made available upon selection.

Students MUST attend Washington Week in order to receive their scholarship.

Please review the 2026 USSYP Washington Week brochure HERE in its entirety for a comprehensive explanation of the program, selection criteria and requirements, program rules, and scholarship information. If you have any questions about Idaho's program, please contact the social studies coordinator, Melinda Schwieder at the Idaho Department of Education via email at mschwieder@sde.idaho.gov or by phone at 208-332-6940.

Application Deadline: October 10, 2025

If selected as a finalist, in-person interviews will take place on Friday, November 7, 2025.
Name*

First NameLast Name
Preferred Name
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email*
example@example.com
Birthdate*

MonthDayYear
Date
Grade Level*

JuniorSenior
Gender*
Citizenship*

YES, I am a U.S. CitizenNO, I am not a U.S. citizen, but I am a permanent resident in possession of my official Green Card at the time of this application. (Having applied for a Green Card, but not in possession, means you cannot apply for USSYP).
Parent/Guardian 1 Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian 1 Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Parent/Guardian 1 Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Parent/Guardian 1 Email*
example@example.com
Parent/Guardian 2 Full Name

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian 2 Address (leave blank if same as Parent/Guardian 1)

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Parent/Guardian 2 Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Parent/Guardian 2 Email
example@example.com
School Type*

Public High SchoolPrivate High School (any school other than public)
Name of School District*
Name of High School*
School Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
School Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Principal's Name*

First NameLast Name
Principal's Email*
example@example.com
Mark the ELECTED/APPOINTED office you now hold for the entire 2025-2026 school year in one of the following: student government, civic, or educational organizations (please select only one, even if you hold multiple positions)*

Student Body PresidentStudent Body Vice PresidentStudent Body SecretaryStudent Body TreasurerClass PresidentClass Vice PresidentClass SecretaryClass TreasurerStudent Council RepresentativeOfficer in a National Honor Society ChapterStudent representative elected or appointed (by a panel, commission, or board) to a local, district, regional, or state-level civic, service, and/or educational purpose whose primary purpose is public/community service and constituent representation. Such positions will be subject to approval by the state selection administrator.
What is your qualifying position if not student body or Honor Society officer?
What is your current cumulative GPA?*
What is your rank in scholastic standing in your class? (Your principal must verify this on a separate form)*
What do you do to serve your community and support your constituency year-round in this position?*
I understand that, if selected as a finalist, the interview day will be Friday, November 7, 2025.*

Yes
Additional Application Items

Please upload your personal essay, persuasive essay, letters of support/recommendation, and required signatures below.
Personal Essay

Prepare an essay thoroughly describing:

- The elected/appointed position you currently hold, and all past involvement in student government/leadership;

- Activities and achievements that demonstrate leadership in school and community that specifically support your desire to serve as a USSYP delegate;

- Involvement in community service initiatives or programs outside of school;

- How your participation in USSYP will enhance your understanding and interest in the political and governmental process of the United States;

- How you believe that being chosen for USSYP will help you explore some of the more important questions you have about the challenges facing the country.

Formatting requirements: double spaced; 12 pt. font; you may use any essay formatting style you prefer (i.e. MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.)Length requirements: none
Personal Essay Upload*

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Persuasive Essay

Prepare an essay for the following prompt: As a student leader in Idaho, what do you see as the greatest areas for improvement in the education system, and what ideas would you propose to create better dialogue and understanding among various student groups?

The topics you address should be important to you. In your essay, you should take a stand, relate its importance to you, and defend your position. The essay will be judged on organization, ideas and content, evidence of personalization, and writing conventions.

It is expected that you will conduct some level of research for this essay. Any unoriginal thoughts or ideas must be attributed appropriately both in the text and on a Works Cited or References page.

Formatting requirements: double spaced; 12 pt. font; you may use any essay formatting style you prefer (i.e. MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.)
Length requirements: none
Persuasive Essay Upload*

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Letters of Support and Recommendation

You must include the following letters of support and recommendation:
1. One from your high school principal or a teacher;
2. One from an adult representative of the organization or activity where you hold a record of leadership and service to others and/or where you currently hold a USSYP-qualifying leadership position.

There are no formatting requirements for these letters, but they should be signed.
Letters of Support and Recommendation Uploads*

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Required Signatures

Please include the completed, signed document titled "Application Addendum: Required Signatures" found HERE.
The following individuals must complete this form:
- The applicant
- Applicant's high school principal
*Adult representative from the applicant's qualifying position organization (ONLY for students serving in a position other than student body or National Honor Society officer)
- Parents/Guardians
Requried Signatures Form Upload*

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2025-2026 U.S. Senate Youth Program

Washington Week - March 7-14, 2026

Additional Application Items