2026 U.S. Senate Youth Program Application

2026 U.S. Senate Youth Program Application

A unique educational experience for outstanding high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing careers in public service.
The deadline for submitting the U.S. Senate Youth application is September 30 at 5:00 p.m.

The U.S. Senate Youth program application is open to all Georgia high school juniors and seniors who meet the program eligibility criteria, complete the online application, secure signatures from their principal, counselor, and parent or guardian, and obtain two letters of recommendation. Previously selected delegates to Washington Week and U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship recipients are ineligible for the program.

Verification forms for principal, counselor, and parent/guardian signatures can be downloaded here.

Find the official U.S. Senate Youth Program brochure here.

Program Eligibility Criteria

High school juniors or seniors:
- Must hold a high-level leadership position in a student government, civic, or educational organization during the entire 2025–2026 academic year.
- Must be a legal permanent resident or citizen of the U.S. at the time of application.
- Be enrolled for the entire 2025-2026 academic year in a public or private high school in Georgia.
- At least one parent or guardian is required to be a Georgia resident.
- Must attend all Washington Week events in person to serve as a delegate and receive the scholarship. The 64th Annual Washington Week is March 7-14, 2026.
Should you have any questions, please contact Arlecia Brooks, Georgia Department of Education Excellence Recognitions Specialist, at Recognitions@doe.k12.ga.us.
Student attends a:*

Public SchoolState Charter SchoolPrivate School
Select School District or State Charter
Select Regional Education Service Agency (RESA)*
Find you local RESA here: https://gadoe.org/contact/georgia-resa/

School Information
School Information
Congressional District *
Find your school's congressional district at https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
School Name:*
Students attending public schools (including charter schools) and private/independent schools are eligible.
School Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState

Zip Code
School Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Principal's Name*

PrefixPrincipal's First NamePrincipal's Last Name
Principal's Email*

Confirmation Email
School Counselor's Name*

PrefixFirst NameLast Name
School Counselor's Email*

Confirmation Email

Parent or Legal Guardian Information
Parent or Legal Guardian Information
Sole Parent/Guardianship?*

YesNo
Parent/Legal Guardian Name*

PrefixFirst NameLast Name
Parent/Legal Guardian Home or Cell Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Parent/Legal Guardian Email*

Confirmation Email
2nd Parent/Legal Guardian Name*

PrefixFirst NameLast Name
2nd Parent/Legal Guardian Home or Cell Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
2nd Parent/Legal Guardian Email*

Confirmation Email

Student Essays
Student Essays

Essays 1 and 2 are limited to a 250-word maximum with a 100-word minimum requirement. The pursuasive essay has a 500-word maximum with a 200-word minimum requirement.
Describe your current, primary 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?*

0/250
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.*

0/250
Submit a persuasive essay that is researched and written on a topic of social significance related to a current state, national, or world event.

Choose a topic that is important to you, take a clear position, explain why it matters to you, and support your argument with credible research.

Your essay will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Organization and structure
- Quality and originality of ideas
- Depth of content and relevance
- Evidence of personalization
- Writing conventions, including grammar and mechanics
- Proper citation of sources
Write your essay below, followed by your Works Cited or References in the next section.*

0/500
Sources from your persuasive essay are required and must be cited. List your Works Cited or References below.*
Unlimited Word Count

New! Video Presentation
New! Video Presentation

Submit a three minute video presentation
Submit one three-minute or less video presentation based on the following prompt:

Imagine that you are a newly elected U.S. Senator from Georgia. Describe who you are and why you are proud to represent your state. Share the personal characteristics that will make you an effective leader in Washington. Identify the legislative initiatives you will champion and explain why these are important to you and your constituents. Finally, note any historical leadership figures you admire and would seek to emulate in your public service.

The video presentation will be evaluated based on:
- Eloquence and vocabulary
- Originality and organization of content
- Knowledge of the subject matter
- Clarity of any visual aids used (e.g., charts, graphs, slides)
- Overall quality and professionalism of the presentation
Video Submission Guidance
1. Videos must be no longer than three (3) minutes in length.
2. Videos must be uploaded to a video-sharing platform (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive) and shared via a viewable link.
3. Ensure your video does not require special access or software to view. The link must be publicly accessible or set to “Anyone with the link can view.”
4. Submissions that cannot be opened or played will not be considered for review.
Important Privacy & Security Notice
1. Videos should not include any personal contact information, home addresses, or sensitive details.
2. Students under 18 must have parent or guardian permission before recording and submitting their video.
3. If uploading to a platform like YouTube, we recommend using an unlisted setting (or “Anyone with the link can view”) to limit public exposure while allowing reviewers access.
Video Submission Link*
Paste your video link in the submission box above.

Letters of Recommendation
Letters of Recommendation

Submit two letters of recommendation
Submit two letters of support and recommendation. Letters of recommendation must be written exclusively for the U.S. Senate Youth Program. Failure to provide letters written solely for the program may result in application invalidation. Letters may be addressed to "U.S. Senate Youth Program Selection Committee." Use the following guidance:
1. one from a current teacher and
2. one from another 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 for USSYP.
3. Save both letters in one .pdf file
4. Use this naming convention for the file name:
  Recommendations_StudentFirstName_StudentLastName
  (e.g.: Recommendations_Ashley_Jones)
Upload both letters of recommendation as one .pdf file here.*

Cancelof

U.S. Senate Youth Verification Forms
U.S. Senate Youth Verification Forms
1. Download and print the principal, counselor, and parent/guardian verification forms.
2. Obtain signatures as required.
3. Save all forms in one .pdf file.
4. Use this naming convention for the file name:
  Verifications_StudentFirstname_StudentLastName
  (e.g.: Verifications_Ashley_Jones)
5. Upload the signed verification forms as a .pdf file below.
Upload all completed verification forms as one .pdf file here.*

Cancelof
You may save and continue your application at a later date. Save your access link in a safe location, as GaDOE cannot retrieve a saved application.

Once your application is submitted, you will receive a pop-up “Thank You” and a confirmation email. If you do not receive a confirmation email from "GaDOE Excellence Recognitions - Jotform", your application has not been received.
Student Application Affirmation*

I affirm that all responses in this application represent my own original work. While I may have reviewed research materials as part of the process, I completed all sections independently and assistance from others or the use of generative artificial intelligence tools.

Should be Empty:

2026 U.S. Senate Youth Program Application

Student Information

School Information

Parent or Legal Guardian Information

Leadership Position and Achievements

Student Essays

New! Video Presentation

Letters of Recommendation

U.S. Senate Youth Verification Forms