North Dakota high schoolers invited to apply for U.S. Senate Youth Program

State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler has called on North Dakota high school juniors and seniors to consider applying for the 2026 U.S. Senate Youth Program, which provides a $10,000 college scholarship. The deadline for applications is midnight on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025.

Each year, two students from every state, along with representatives from the District of Columbia and Department of Defense schools, are selected for the program. In addition to the scholarship, selected students will attend "Washington Week," scheduled for March 7-14, 2026. During this event, participants will meet speakers from all three branches of the federal government as well as members of the national media.

The program emphasizes public service and leadership. Students are evaluated based on their leadership abilities and their roles in elected or appointed student offices throughout the school year. Applications are reviewed by a state selection committee.

To apply, students must complete an online form, write a personal essay responding to questions about Senate committee assignments they would seek and personal qualities they would bring as a senator for North Dakota. Applicants must also submit letters of support and obtain signatures from both their principal and parent. Additionally, applicants are required to certify that no artificial intelligence tools were used in preparing their application materials. More information can be found on the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction’s website: https://www.nd.gov/dpi/parentscommunity/students/scholarships/us-senate-youth-program.

Baesler described the program as ideal for those interested in developing leadership skills and pursuing public service careers.

“The $10,000 scholarship is attractive, and this program also gives young North Dakotans a chance to develop their leadership skills with a group of their peers from across the country,” Baesler said. “It offers them experience in discussing and debating some of the most important issues our country faces with other young people who may hold beliefs much different from theirs.”

The U.S. Senate Youth Program was created in 1962 to give outstanding high school students interested in public service an opportunity for study and scholarships. The Hearst Foundations fund the $10,000 scholarship; these foundations were established by William Randolph Hearst.