ALBANY. N.Y. (WCBS 880) — Ten kids from around New York won the first round of state college scholarships for 5-to-11-year-olds who get vaccinated against COVID-19, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced.
The kids' names were drawn by lottery after their parents or guardians entered them in the contest. It’s open to children 5 to 11 who get their first vaccine dose by Dec. 19. Weekly drawings will continue through the next few weeks.
Winners get tuition, room and board for an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program at a SUNY or CUNY school, plus money for books and supplies.
The winners, whose full names weren't released, included four winners from New York City, one from Long Island and one from Westchester County.
Hochul’s office released video of her phoning some of the young winners, with one saying "I think I'm a really lucky kid."
New York offered a similar scholarship raffle for vaccinated 12-to-17-year-olds last spring and summer under ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo.