SED Accepting Applications for U.S. Senate Youth Program

Each year, the New York State Education Department selects two students from high schools across the state to represent New York at the national U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP).

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.

Any Huntington High School junior or senior is eligible. Applicants must be actively serving in qualified leadership positions, enrolled in high school, and living in the state that they will represent for the entire 2026-2027 academic year. The two chosen students will each be awarded a $12,500 scholarship and will attend the 65th annual USSYP Washington Week, which will take place in Washington, D.C., from March 6-13, 2026.

The online USSYP 2026 Application must be submitted on or before Thursday, October 15, 2025, by 5:00 p.m..

More information, including the link to the online application form and the list of qualifying leadership positions, can be found on the Office of Standards and Instruction’s William Randolph Hearst Foundation United States Senate Youth Program website.

Questions may be submitted to NYSenateYouth@nysed.gov.