United States Senate Youth Program Delaware

Scholarship Overview: Delaware high school junior or senior who demonstrates leadership through public service and wants to attend a leadership program in Washington D.C.
Application Available: August 1, 2024
Deadline Date: October 11, 2024

Scholarship Details:

The U.S Senate Youth program 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 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) — for an intensive week-long education and leadership program to be held in Washington, D.C., March 2 – 9, 2024.The program is merit-based and highly competitive. Each student will also receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science. Now in its 62nd year, the program has been fully funded since its inception by The Hearst Foundations as an enduring commitment to preparing young people for civic leadership in our participatory democracy.

Application, Nomination, and Selection Process:

• Step One: Students submit their completed Delaware’s 2025 USSYP Application to their high school counselor. Applications must include:
  • Signed documentation of serving in an elected or appointed leadership position for the entire 2024-2025 school year; see USSYP Brochure for qualifying position
  • Two original essays
  • One original video presentation
  • Signed parent/guardian consent for Washington Week, March 1 – 8, 2025
  • Two signed letters of recommendation. One from their high school principal or teacher and one from an adult representative from the organization where the student has a record of leadership.
  • Copy of their school transcript
• Step Two: Each Delaware high school selects one student as their school’s nominee for the USSYP.
• Step Three: School counselors assemble their student nominee’s completed application with all required attachments, links, and signatures in one document and attach it to an email to Michael Feldman and Michelle Christman, Secretary at: michelle.christman@doe.k12.de.us by Friday, October 11, 2024.
• Step Four: Students selected for the semi-finalist and finalist rounds will be notified by Delaware’s USSYP selection committee by November 20 via the email address provided in their application.
• Step Five: Students selected as Delaware’s USSYP delegates will be notified after December 1, 2024.

Application Requirements: Delaware Residents Only, Essay, Letter(s) of Recommendation, Video

Essay Details:

Each student must complete each of the following two essays. Each essay must be:
• submitted in the space below,
• 500 words or less,
• single-spaced,
• 12-point Times New Roman font,
• the student’s original work, and
• include citations of sources (when appropriate).

*All essays submitted will be held to the highest standards of academic integrity. Any detection of plagiarism or use of artificial intelligence (e.g., ChatGPT) will result in the application’s disqualification and the student’s school will be contacted.

Essay 1 of 2
Describing each of the following elements as they pertain to you:
• Current elected student position held and all past involvement in student government/leadership.
• Activities and achievements that demonstrate your leadership in school and community that specifically support your desire to serve as Delaware’s USSYP State 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. Share ways in which you think being chosen for the U.S. Senate Youth Program will help you explore some of the most important questions you have at present about the challenges facing the country.

Essay 2 of 2
Write a persuasive essay researched and written on a topic of social significance related to a contemporary state, national, or world event. Select a topic important to you, take a stand, relate its importance to you, and defend your position with evidence. All sources must be appropriately cited. Your essay will be judged on organization, ideas and content, evidence of personalization, and writing conventions (including citation of all sources).

Award Amount: $10,000

Award Details:

$10,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.
All paid trip for Washington Week, March 1 – 8, 2025

Website/URL: https://www.doe.k12.de.us/Page/3052

Scholarship Manager Information:

Contact Email: michael.feldman@doe.k12.de.us
Additional Contact & Submission Information:

Selection Process:
Students submit their completed application to their high school counselor.
Each Delaware high school selects one student as their school’s nominee for the USSYP.
School counselors email their school nominee’s completed application with all required attachments, links, and signatures in one email to Michael Feldman by the application deadline, Friday, October 13, 2023.
Students selected for the semi-finalist and finalist rounds will be notified by Delaware’s USSYP selection committee, via the email address provided in their application.
Students selected as Delaware’s USSYP delegates will be notified after December 1, 2023.

Additional Scholarship Information:

Contact your School counselor for more information/assistance

Filters:

Eligibility: Nomination Required, U.S Citizen/Permanent Resident
Areas of Study: Open to All, Law & Legal Studies, Political Science, Public Policy & Social Services
Applicant’s Current Education Level: High School Student (9-11), High School Senior
Location Specific: Delaware