New York state is launching a new initiative aimed to get young kids vaccinated that will in turn allow some of them to attend a state or city college for free.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday the creation of “Vaccine. Educate. Graduate.” Children between the ages of 5 and 11, who just recently became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, who get the shot can be entered into a drawing. The state will then select 50 students from the pool and they will be provided a full-ride free scholarship to any SUNY or CUNY school.
“Tuition. Fees. Room and board. The whole nine yards,” Hochul said.
The state will be announcing the 50 winners over a five-week period, running from Nov. 22 to Dec. 19.
This is the latest of incentives that New York and other states have put forward in the last few months to get more people vaccinated.
Hochul also said that as of Tuesday, 75% of all New Yorkers have now received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.