Nevada sends two students to Washington. One could be you.
The U.S. Senate Youth Program brings 104 high school leaders to Washington, D.C. for a week inside the federal government — and sends each one home with a $12,500 college scholarship. Applications for the 2027 program open September 25, 2026.
Two delegates from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity. 104 students nationally. Two from Nevada.
A thirty-day window
Nevada's application window is open for one month. Everything after it is out of your hands, so the work happens before October 25.
Start before the window opens. A strong application needs a professional headshot, a video essay, written essays, and letters of recommendation from people who need lead time to write them well. Students who begin gathering materials in September are the ones who finish comfortably in October.
Are you ready to become Nevada's next USSYP delegate?
The Nevada Department of Education and the Silver State Coalition for Civic Education host a one-hour session for students and counselors, with a live Q&A with the Nevada USSYP team.
What you'll learn
- Program overview and eligibility requirements
- Application timeline and key deadlines
- Tips for creating a professional headshot
- Strategies for writing strong application essays
- Best practices for video essay submissions
- How to request impactful letters of recommendation
- Interview preparation and public speaking tips
- What the selection committee looks for
- Live Q&A with the Nevada USSYP team
Webinar details
- Date
- Wednesday, September 30, 2026
- Time
- 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Location
- Zoom — link sent after registration
- Cost
- Free
- Registration
- Required
Who should attend
Students
Current high school students interested in leadership, public service, and government. Juniors and seniors are eligible to apply; sophomores are welcome to attend and plan ahead.
Counselors & educators
School counselors, administrators, leadership advisors, and government and social studies teachers. Principals verify and nominate applicants, so early awareness matters.
Families
Parents and guardians supporting an applicant through headshots, recommendation requests, and the March travel commitment.
A week that changes the arc
Undergraduate college scholarship in the name of the United States Senate, with encouragement to pursue coursework in government and history.
Eight days in Washington, D.C. — meetings with U.S. Senators, cabinet members, a Justice of the Supreme Court, and senior members of the national media.
Transportation, hotel, and meals are covered in full by The Hearst Foundations. There is no cost to the delegate or their family.
A national network of former delegates, many of whom have gone on to careers in public service, law, the military, and government.
Delegates must attend the entire Washington Week program to receive the scholarship.
Who qualifies
USSYP is merit-based and highly competitive. Beyond strong academics, it asks for a specific thing: a leadership position in which you actively represent a constituency, held for the entire 2026–2027 school year.
Qualifying leadership positions include
- Student body president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer
- Class president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer
- Elected member of a student council or student senate
- An officer of a National Honor Society, including discipline-based honor societies with a service component
- A student representative elected or appointed to a local, state, regional, or national civic or educational organization
- A student member of a district, regional, or state board of education or similar body
All leadership positions are subject to the judgment and verification of the Nevada state selection administrators. Review the official 2027 brochure for the complete list and exact wording.
- Be a high school junior or senior enrolled in a Nevada high school, and live in Nevada, for the entire 2026–2027 academic year.
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident at the time of application.
- Be available for the entire Washington Week program, March 6–13, 2027.
- Not have previously served as a USSYP delegate or received a USSYP scholarship.
- Obtain your high school principal's verification and nomination.
Students who went before you
Being selected starts at home. Nevada's delegates tour the Legislature and the State Capitol in Carson City before joining 102 peers from across the country for Washington Week.
Nevada's USSYP delegates on their tour of the Legislature and the Nevada State Capitol, Carson City.
Register for the webinar and start your application.
One hour on September 30 will save you a great deal of guessing in October. Bring your questions.
Questions? Amanda Hughes, Nevada Department of Education · amanda.hughes@doe.nv.gov · 775-687-5931
Hosted by the Nevada Department of Education and the Silver State Coalition for Civic Education.
The United States Senate Youth Program was established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution 324. It is sponsored and supported by the United States Senate and fully funded and administered by The Hearst Foundations. All student delegates are selected by state-level education officials; the United States Senate and The Hearst Foundations do not participate in individual selections.
Dates, scholarship amounts, and eligibility requirements shown here are as published for the 2027 program cycle and are subject to change. The official 2027 USSYP brochure and the program rules govern in the event of any inconsistency.