The United States Senate Youth Program, established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution, is an esteemed educational initiative offering high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of the American political process. Each year, two students from each state are selected as delegates and participate in Washington Week. Delegates receive a $10,000 college scholarship to an accredited United States college or university undergraduate program of their choice. Scholarship funds are paid directly to the college or university on the student's behalf. No funds are provided directly to students.
Congratulations 2023 Georgia Delegates!
Delegate: Jack Lakis, Harrison High School
Delegate: Luke Schofield, Lumpkin High School
Alternate: Sarah Bellagat, Eagle's Landing High School
Alternate: Danielle Acosta, Heard County High School
Learn more about our delegates HERE
Application Details
The 2024 Georgia's United States Senate Youth Program application will open on the August 1, 2023. Georgia high school juniors or seniors may apply to participate in the United States Senate Youth Program, provided they meet all criteria and secure signatures from their principal, school counselor, and parent/guardian. School counselors/USSYP coordinators who receive requests for the application from students should direct them to the application on this page (you may use short URL gadoe.org/USSYP) once posted.
Eligibly Criteria
High school juniors and seniors who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply:
- Serving in an elected or appointed position representing a constituency during the entire 2023-2024 school year – see below for additional information on qualifying positions.
- Enrolled in and attending a Georgia high school through spring 2024.
- Able to attend the 62nd Annual Washington Week, March 2-9, 2024. Selected students must attend all events, in-person, in order to serve as delegates and receive the scholarship.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residence at the time of application (requirement of the national program).
- One parent/guardian must be a legal Georgia resident.
Qualifying Leadership Positions
Students must hold one of the following elected or appointed positions for the entire current school-year.
- Student Body President
- Student Body Vice President
- Student Body Secretary
- Student Body Treasurer
- Student Council Representative
- Class President
- Class Vice President
- Class Secretary
- Class Treasurer
- National Honor Society Officer
Cadet Corps
Commanders: JROTC students who
hold officer-level leadership positions within their cadet corps for the
entire academic year. Note: Serving as a general
JROTC cadet alone will NOT qualify.
Student representative elected or appointed (by a panel, commission, or board) to a district-, regional-, or state-level civic or educational organization approved by the state selection administrator.
Application Components
Students are encouraged to collect all required information prior to starting the online application. Applications can be saved and continued at a later time by clicking the "Get Shareable Link". GaDOE staff are not able to retrieve an uncompleted application. Students should save their link in a safe location. For additional information on the 2024 application process, refer to our USSYP Application Guidance Brochure.
- Student Demographic Information and Scholastic Standing
- School Information including Principal and Counselor Emails
- Parent or Legal Guardian Information
- Civic Leadership Position(s) and Achievements
- Student Essays (3)
Describe your current elected or appointed student leadership position. What impact has your role had on your school or community? In what ways has your experience as a student leader cultivated a strong sense of civic responsibility? (250-word max.)
Describe your involvement in civic community service initiatives or programs outside of your school. 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 about the challenges facing the country. (250-word max.)
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. (500-word max.)
- Letters of Recommendation (2)
- Current Classroom Teacher
- Adult representative of an organization or activity where the student has a record of leadership and service to others and/or where the student is currently holding a qualifying leadership position.
- Verification Forms (Principal, Counselor, and Parent/Legal Guardian)
