The state said it will award the last four $50,000 college scholarships on Monday.
In July, Governor Larry Hogan launched the $1 million VaxU Scholarship Promotion, an incentive program to encourage 12- to 17-year-olds to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Through the program, 20 winners, drawn at random, are to receive a $50,000 scholarship which covers the equivalent of full tuition and fees at a public, in-state institution of higher education.
To date, all but four of the scholarships have been awarded, with a remaining $200,000 in funding up-for-grabs. All four winners will be announced on Monday, Labor Day.
“We still have four more scholarships to draw next Monday, Labor Day, and we’re really urging everybody 12 to 17, ‘Go get your shot this week, so that you’re eligible for the drawing on Monday.” — Secretary of Health, Dennis R. Schrader
Every 12- to 17-year-old in the state who has received at least one shot is automatically entered into the drawing for one of the remaining $50,000 scholarships. To qualify, students must both live and be vaccinated in Maryland.
Notably, Secretary Schrader said that vaccination rates for the scholarship-eligible age group jumped by about 15%, up to 66.5%, since the start of the incentive program.
The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) are jointly administering the initiative. Federal COVID-19 relief funds are being used to cover the cost of the program.
Learn more:
Conduit Street Coverage: Hogan Announces $1 Million VaxU Scholarship Promotion
