New York Contest Offers Free Education to Vaccinated Kids

Some children in New York State who line up to get the COVID-19 vaccine could be set for education into their 20s.

Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled the “Vaccinate, Educate, Graduate” program that will award 50 winners full-ride scholarships to any two or four-year State University of New York or City University of New York college or university if they are between ages 5 and 11 and get their first vaccine dose by December 19.

Families can enter the drawing by going to the Vaccinate-Educate-Graduate-Vaccine-Incentive page by 11:59 p.m. December 19.

The scholarship includes tuition, room and board.

Ten winners in a random drawing will be announced each week starting November 24 with a total of fifty winners over a five-week period.

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Hochul says the top question she hears from parents is when can their children go to school without wearing masks?. The Democrat says she wants them to stop wearing masks in schools and “the key to doing that is getting them vaccinated.”

Hochul says the state has ordered enough vaccine for half the population of children age 5 to 11 in New York and is ready to get more shots as soon as they are needed.

The Governor November 9 told local healthcare providers to make sure they have a supply. She said “If you run out, you can call me personally” to make sure all children get their vaccination.