Governor Cuomo Announces First Round Winners of 'Get A Shot to Make Your Future' Vaccine Incentive

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the first-round winners of the 'Get A Shot to Make Your Future' incentive for a full scholarship to a SUNY or CUNY school. Winners receive a full scholarship to any New York public college or university, including tuition and room and board. New York State will administer the random drawing and select 10 winners a week over five weeks. Four drawings remain after this week. Once a 12 to 17-year-old has received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, a parent or legal guardian can sign them up for upcoming drawings here. Federal COVID-19 relief and outreach funds will be used to cover the cost of this vaccination incentive program.

"If we want to defeat COVID once and for all we have to vaccinate every single New Yorker, and the 'Get A Shot to Make Your Future' incentive focuses on a key demographic with the lowest vaccination rates—our youth," Governor Cuomo said. "This is a life-changing opportunity for young New Yorkers to receive full scholarships to SUNY or CUNY colleges in exchange for getting vaccinated to protect their families and their communities. So congratulations to our first round of scholarship winners and thank you for doing your part in our state's fight against COVID."

A list of the winners is available below:

• Liam Burke, Westchester County, NY
• Charlotte D'Agostino, Bronx, NY
• Chase French, Monroe County, NY
• Bai Tang Jiang, Queens, NY
• Adam Judson, Albany County, NY
• Hannah Lee, Nassau County, NY
• Jack Lucchesi, Ontario County, NY
• Jack McAuliffe, Clinton County, NY
• Ariana Nasr, Queens, NY
• Peter Smith, Onondaga County, NY

The New York State Department of Health and New York State Higher Education Services Corporation has verified the vaccination status of winners.

The winners will receive up to four years of full-time undergraduate study which includes the following components:

• Tuition: An amount equal to tuition at the State or City University of New York's in-state tuition rate.
• Non-tuition Costs: Room and board and allowances for fees, books, supplies and transportation up to the cost-of-attendance at SUNY or CUNY colleges.

State University of New York Chancellor Jim Malatras said, "The 'Get A Shot to Make Your Future' incentive will help up turn the page on COVID and accelerate the state's reopening—something SUNY has been working toward for months. I urge anyone ages 12 to 17 who hasn't received their vaccine to take advantage of this opportunity while it's still available, and help us defeat COVID-19 once and for all."

CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said, "Congratulations to the winners of the first 'Get a Shot to Make your Future' drawing. By getting vaccinated, these young New Yorkers are doing their part to put COVID-19 behind us and accelerate the recovery of our State and City. We look forward to welcoming these students to CUNY where they will obtain the skills and professional development they need to join the highly skilled workforce that will be crucial to our region's economic comeback. We eagerly anticipate a safe return to campus in Fall 2021 and are grateful for innovative programs like this one to get New Yorkers vaccinated."

New York State Higher Education Services Corporation President Dr. Guillermo Linares said, "Congratulations to the winners in this week's 'Get a Shot to Make your Future' Vaccine Incentive Scholarship drawing! This scholarship offers a unique opportunity for the winners to attend college without worry or the burden of debt. In just a few short days, we've seen tens of thousands of New Yorkers, age 12 to 17, get vaccinated and a significant rise in overall vaccination numbers. It is exciting to be a part of this critical initiative and to see the enthusiasm amongst our young people who are participating in the contest, while at the same time helping to stop the spread of the coronavirus."

More information on where to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, or to schedule an appointment, is available here.