United States Senate Youth Program

The U.S. Senate passed a resolution in 1962 creating the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), a national initiative to provide a yearly opportunity for talented young people 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 together with outstanding high school students — two juniors or seniors from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity — during an intensive week-long educational program held in Washington, D.C. The program is merit-based and highly competitive. Each student also receives a one-time $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science. All state delegates to the USSYP must attend Washington Week in the spring. Students will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residence to participate in the U.S. Senate Youth Program.

The 64th Annual United States Senate Youth Program Washington Week is being planned for March 7-14, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Delegates will hear major policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials of the Departments of State and Defense, leaders of other federal agencies and senior members of the national media. Delegates also traditionally participate in a meeting with a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and the President of the United States. Each delegate will receive the $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship in the name of the United States Senate. Additional details will be made available upon selection.

USSYP 2025 Delegates

Landen Coursey and Prerana Kodakandla were selected after an extensive application and interview process to represent the state of Arkansas in the U.S. Senate Youth Program.

To learn more about the program, visit http://ussenateyouth.org/.

To view the USSYP National Brochure, visit https://ussenateyouth.org/selection_process_brochure/ .

To see the USSYP Digital Yearbook, visit https://ussenateyouth.org/washington_yearbook/.

To read more regarding participant rules and Code of Conduct, visit https://ussenateyouth.org/selection_process_rules/

Information and guidelines about the application process, as well as the application, can be found under Related Files on this page.