Winners will get a college scholarship worth $50,000 good towards any in-state school in Maryland.
Just days after the lottery for vaccines program concluded, Governor Larry Hogan has announced a new program to get more Maryland kids vaccinated. Beginning on July 12, Maryland will award a total of $1 million in college scholarships to kids aged 12 to 17 who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
This new program is part of an effort to get as many kids as possible vaccinated before school starts in August. The promotion will award 20 kids a $50,000 scholarship to any Maryland public school. The amount is enough to cover four years of tuition, fees at any Maryland school of higher education.
The Pfizer vaccine was officially approved for children aged 12 to 17 on May 10 and remains the only vaccine eligible for this age group.
Today we announced our new #VaxU Scholarship Promotion to provide $1 million in college scholarships for Marylanders age 12 to 17 who get vaccinated.
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) July 7, 2021
Details: https://t.co/VHS1jF6h8y pic.twitter.com/fM9ESZ6GCm
“Promotions like this are just one more way that we are reinforcing the importance of getting every single Marylander that we can vaccinate against COVID-19, especially our young people,” said Governor Hogan. “If any of our 12- to 17-year-olds or their parents needed another good reason, then now they can get vaccinated for a chance to win a $50,000 college scholarship.”
Two scholarships will be awarded every week through August, with the final four scholarships awarded on September 6. Kids aged 12 to 14 will get their scholarships through a prepaid trust account and kids 15 to 17 will get their scholarships in the form of a 529 savings plan.
To be eligible, children must get their vaccinations in Maryland and have a Maryland address.
Most of the mass vaccination centers in the state have now closed, but you can use Maryland’s coronavirus website to get an appointment at a pharmacy, hospital, or healthcare clinic near you.
Currently, no vaccine has been approved for children under 12. Federal health officials are hoping the vaccine will be ready to be administered to children younger than 12 towards the end of the year.
What are your thoughts about incentivizing kids' families with a school scholarship in exchange for getting vaccinated? Share in the comments.
