Governor Cuomo Announces Fifth round Winners of 'Get a Shot to Make Your Future' Incentive

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the fifth-round winners of the 'Get AShot 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, room and board, and expenses. New York State administered the random drawing and selected 10 winners a week over five weeks. The final winners have now been announced. Federal COVID-19 relief and outreach funds will be used to cover the cost of this vaccination incentive program.

"Getting vaccinated is the key to our success defeating COVID-19 and restoring the economy, and this extraordinary incentive for the state's young people has helped us put shots in arms across New York," Governor Cuomo said. "This life-changing opportunity has helped us spread the word to an important demographic—12- to 17-year-olds—about the importance of getting vaccinated. I congratulate this week's winners and look forward to seeing them thrive in our state."

The fifth-round winners are:

• Yueqi Diao, Broome County
• Cristopher Tejada, Queens
• Sawyer Pineda, Westchester County
• James Robinson IV, Cayuga County
• Ben Lesher, Westchester County
• Amaya Thalappillil, Nassau County
• Bryce Chua, Queens
• Paige Geary, Monroe County
• Talia Campbell, Westchester County
• Kailey Annesi, Monroe County

SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras said, "We continue to encourage our younger populations to realize the benefits of getting vaccinated to regain normalcy across New York State and on our campuses. The 'Get A Shot to Make Your Future' initiative continues to help us move forward and achieve this goal. My congratulations to the fifth round winners receiving this scholarship as we prepare to welcome them to SUNY's colleges and universities, and our offerings for a high-quality education."

CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said, "Congratulations to the winners of the fifth round of the 'Get a Shot to Make Your Future,' and to all of the scholarship winners thus far. We are grateful for innovative programs like this one to help get young New Yorkers vaccinated, helping accelerate the recovery of our city and state. At CUNY, these students 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."

New York State Higher Education Services Corporation President Dr. Guillermo Linares said, "Congratulations to week five winners and to all of the 50 lucky recipients of a full-ride scholarship! Not only is this a life changing opportunity for many, but the 'Get a Shot to Make Your Future' Vaccine Scholarship Incentive played a critical role in encouraging 12-17 year old across New York State to get vaccinated and help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Thank you to Governor Cuomo for implementing this important program to help us defeat COVID-19."

The New York State Department of Health and New York State Higher Education Services Corporation have 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.

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