The state of Colorado is starting a campaign to incentivize COVID-19 vaccination in students age 12 through 17.
The incentive is a $50,000 scholarship to help pay for college. Five eligible Coloradans will be randomly chosen to win each week for five weeks, totaling 25 scholarships. Gov. Jared Polis announced Wednesday the winners will be picked from those who have gotten at least a first dose of the vaccine by the date of the drawing.
“The money will simply be deposited in the CollegeInvest account, and it'll be there for them, whether they go to school in-state, out-of-state, all forms of eligible education expenditures,” Polis said.
He said about a quarter of those ages 12 to 17 in Colorado have gotten vaccinated since the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine became available to them a few weeks ago.
Technical education and credential programs, as well as traditional two- and four-year colleges and universities, are eligible uses of the money.
The scholarship giveaway also incentivizes going to college as enrollment numbers decline amid the pandemic.
Education leaders see multiple benefits to the scholarship program. Not only do they hope it will help get more young people vaccinated, but they also hope it will encourage more young people to go to college.
“We know that the pandemic had a very significant impact on students and on education,” said Angie Paccione, executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education. “We saw undergraduate enrollment decline over the last year and a half. Many first-year students decided to take a gap year. This scholarship sends a clear message to our state that we need you for our Colorado comeback.”
The first drawing for what is being called the Comeback Cash Scholarship will be held Monday, June 7. The drawings will continue every week through Friday, July 9.
Polis said he thinks the program and a similar drawing for the state's adults will bolster Colorado's vaccination numbers.
“If you're a parent out there and you're planning to get your 12 to 17 year old protected from the deadly virus, as you should, as a good parent, this gives you a reason to do it now to make sure that they're fully eligible for the 25 drawings to win $50,000,” Polis said. “Don't put it off. You want them protected this summer.”
Vaccinations in Colorado have slowed in recent weeks, according to the state’s dashboard. Many who were enthusiastic about getting inoculated have already gotten their shots, and the state is now focusing on those who so far have waited, still have questions or have lacked access to vaccinations.
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Colorado Will Give Out $50000 College Scholarships To 25 Vaccinated Young People - Colorado Public Radio
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