The Senate Page Program is a great opportunity for young people to get involved in government service, see the legislative process in action and experience life in our nation's capital. The program is open to 16 and 17 year olds who are sponsored by a U.S. Senator. The Senate Page Program offers a chance for young Hoosiers to meet people from around the country and experience diverse ideas, perspectives, and issues.

Duties Include:

• Delivering correspondence and legislative material within the Congressional Complex
• Carrying messages for Senators and calling them to the phone
• Preparing the Chamber for Senate sessions
• Carrying bills and amendments to the desk

A rotation system is practiced so that pages are able to experience all areas of service.

Dates, Schedule, Pay:

There are four page sessions:

• Early September through mid-January
• Mid-January through mid-June
• Two summer sessions which are dependent on the legislative calendar

Classes are held at the Senate Page School until 9:45 a.m. or one hour prior to the commencement of the Senate.  Pages report for duty to their respective cloakrooms and work until 4 p.m. or until the Senate adjourns for the day, whichever is later.

Pages are paid on the basis of an annual salary of $21,978.

Page Sponsorship:

There are one hundred members of the U.S. Senate and only thirty page positions available. Thus, not every Senator is able to appoint a page every session. Additionally, because of the limited number of positions and the volume of applications, the process is very competitive.  Unfortunately, not all students who apply will be able to participate in the program.

Requirements mandated by Senate Page Program:

• Senate Pages must be sponsored by a United States Senator.
• Pages must be citizens of the United States or subject to agreements of the Department of State and must have a Social Security number.
• Page eligibility is limited to high school students with junior standing who will be 16 or 17 years of age on or before the date of appointment.
• Pages must verify a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a school transcript and a certification of immunization to qualify for attendance at the school.
• A general health assessment completed by a licensed physician is required, in addition to the certification of immunization. Pages play an important role in the day-to-day operation of the Senate. The daily schedule can be tedious and requires endurance.
• Pages are also required to be covered by health insurance; if not covered, they will be required to enroll in the Federal Health Benefits Program.

If you have questions regarding your eligibility, please contact our Page Coordinator at 202-224-5623.

Housing:

During the school year Pages are required to live in the Daniel Webster Senate Page Residence. The cost of living in the residence hall is $600 per month and includes breakfast and dinner every day. Payment is made through payroll deduction. An initial security deposit of $250 is required before checking into the residence and is refundable at the end of your stay when it has been determined that no damage has occurred to the residence.  Summer pages also live in Webster Hall.  However, they have the option to live with their parents, a relative, or an alternate housing arrangement that is approved in writing by their parents or legal guardian.

Webster Hall is located two blocks from the Senate Office Buildings. Staff includes the Program Director, Administrative Aide and four proctors. Proctors also reside in Webster Hall. Two floors are designated as living quarters, one for young women and the other for young men. Additionally, each floor has a community room for social activity and relaxation.

Pages must share rooms. Each room can accommodate four to six occupants, who sleep on twin size bunk or loft-style beds. Additionally, each room comes furnished with desks, chairs, bureaus, closets, a private bath and a shared telephone line. Laundry and kitchen facilities are provided within the building.

United States Capitol Police maintain a 24-hour security desk and a provision that requires all individuals to present identification and all visitors to sign in. Capitol Police regularly patrol the area by vehicle and on foot 24 hours a day. Webster Hall is monitored by a security alarm system, and all emergency and safety measures required by the District of Columbia for community life structures are present and enforced.

Application:

Prospective pages wishing to apply to the program must submit the following:

1. Application Form
2. Two signed letters of recommendations, one of which needs to be a current academic reference from your high school
3. A current high school transcript
4. A one-page, double-spaced, writing sample that addresses the following questions:
1. What makes you the best candidate to be a Senate page?
2. What do you hope to gain from your experience?

Please submit the application materials to:
           
Office of Senator Evan Bayh
Attn: Page Coordinator
131 Russell Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5623
Fax: (202) 228-0655

Please be aware that because of increased security measures for Senate mail, items may take two to three weeks for delivery. We strongly encourage applicants to send their application materials in by fax to (202) 228-0655.

Thank you for your interest in the Senate Page Program, we look forward to hearing from you soon!