Governor Cuomo Announces Third Round Winners of 'Get a Shot to Make Your Future' Incentive

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the third-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. Three 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.

"The vaccine is the best weapon we have against the COVID virus and although we have hit a 70 percent vaccination rate, we still have more work to do to get every single New Yorker vaccinated," Governor Cuomo said. "Younger New Yorkers still have the lowest vaccination rates in the State, and this incentive offers 12 to 17-year olds a unique opportunity to make their futures in exchange for taking action to protect themselves and their loved ones. Congratulations and thank you to our third round winners - you have done a great service to your communities."

The third-round winners are:

• Kelly Moscoso-Yanes, Nassau County, NY
• Victoria Romero, Nassau County, NY
• Niaja Land, Brooklyn, NY
• Jordan Gallusser, Otsego County, NY
• Emily Brodsky, Suffolk County, NY
• Nicholas Keirstead, Monroe County, NY
• Brian Hoffman, Erie County, NY
• Aleksander Sosa, Suffolk County, NY
• Madison Pennington, Erie County, NY
• Ryan Hsu, Queens, NY

SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras said, "New Yorkers have made tremendous progress in ending the pandemic by getting vaccinated. But we must continue to help our younger populations see the benefits of getting vaccinated as well—the 'Get AShot to Make Your Future' is a great way to help us achieve this goal. I congratulate the third round winners on receiving a scholarship, and we welcome them to the SUNY family. With this scholarship, they will have access to many opportunities and a high-quality education that will set them up for success."

CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said: "Congratulations and thank you to the latest winners for doing their part to help speed the recovery from this horrific pandemic. Education will be integral to New York's resurgence, and there has never been a better time to attend a CUNY college and begin building the skills needed to join the region's workforce and help build back better."

New York State Higher Education Services Corporation President Dr. Guillermo Linares said, "Congratulations to the week three winners of the 'Get a Shot to Makeyour Future' Vaccine Incentive Scholarship drawing. With the drawing in its third week, we are continuing to see a rise in the number of 12-17 year old's getting vaccinated as infection rates decline across our state. Vaccinating all New Yorkers, including our young people, is the surefire way to help us counteract this virus and help return New York to its new normal."

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.

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