United States Senate Youth Online Program Confirmed for 2021

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Oregon Department of Education
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United States Senate Youth Online Program Confirmed for 2021

The United States Senate Youth Program, funded by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation and endorsed by the U.S. Senate, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service, history or political science.

For the 2020-21 school year, two Oregon delegates will receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies and participate in an online Washington Week experience, March 14-18, 2021. Though virtual, Washington Week will be a fully immersive learning experience incorporating the key elements of Washington Week. Students will be given many opportunities to interact virtually with their peers from across the nation, be offered a premier leadership experience, and learn about government from a perspective few people ever get to see. Two Oregon alternates and up to two additional finalists will also receive a $200 cash award.

All high school juniors and seniors must be nominated by their high school principal or designated school official to apply for the program. Nominated students must be active in elected or appointed leadership positions that relate to government, public affairs, education and/or community service.

Student leadership positions held during the 2019 – 2020 academic year will be allowed to qualify students for 2021 if they are unable to hold the usual USSYP qualifying positions for the current academic year due to disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

School officials must:

  1. Publicize the opportunity to all qualifying juniors and seniors.
  2. Develop a process for selection of a nominee(s) from the school.
  3. Identify a student(s) to apply.

We encourage high schools to share this information with all eligible juniors and seniors, especially those from historically underserved communities.

The state application will be available on Oregon’s U.S. Senate Youth Program webpage next month and will be due to the Oregon Department of Education by Friday, January 8, 2021. Please review Oregon’s process requirements for additional details or contact Jenni Knaus at 503-947-5860.