Westbury Girl Among First Vaccine Scholarship Winners

WESTBURY, NY — A Westbury teen was among the first in the state to win a full scholarship to a SUNY or CUNY school for getting the coronavirus vaccine.

Hannah Lee was the first person from Long Island to win a scholarship, and was part of the first group of 10 students to be selected. The program was created to incentivize students ages 12 to 17 to get the coronavirus vaccine.

Students who have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine can enter for a chance to win a full scholarship to a SUNY or CUNY school, which includes tuition and room and board. The state is selecting 10 winners a week for five weeks.

Teens, or their parent or legal guardians, can enter into upcoming drawings by clicking here.

"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," Gov. Andrew 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."

The scholarships are being paid for by federal coronavirus relief funds. The scholarships will cover up to four years of education at a public school in the state. In addition to tuition and room and board, the scholarships can also be used to pay for fees, textbooks, supplies and travel expenses.