The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) administers the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) for the State of Oregon. The U.S. Senate Youth Program is an annual scholarship competition funded by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation and endorsed by the U.S. Senate. Each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity select two high school juniors or seniors to participate in the program.
Applications are open to high school juniors and seniors who are serving in an elected or selected capacity in student government and/or other school and district civil or educational organization. All students must be nominated to apply by their high school principal or designated school official in order to be considered for the program.
This year, delegates will receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science. Delegates will also attend an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. March 2-9, 2019.
Required Application Documents for Oregon:
- Student Application
- Resume, where you must indicate your leadership activities in student government, politics, community, music, sports, and other extracurricular activities.
- Cover letter describing why you should be selected to participate in the U.S. Youth Senate Program.
- An essay of three pages or less responding to one of five essay topics
- A statement of recommendation for the student, not to exceed one single page. The letter may be written by anyone the student selects.
- A statement of the specific process used to determine the school's nominee, as publicized within the school. This must be written on official school stationery.
2017-18 Oregon Delegates Enrique Flores (left) and Kelly Han (right) with Senator Jeff Merkley in Washington DC.