Maryland launches $1 million COVID-19 vaccination scholarship program

Maryland launches $1 million vaccination scholarship program, VaxU.

Maryland Gov. Hogan announced earlier this month, the launch of the $1 million VaxU scholarship program. The effort is to incentivize those eligible, kids between 12-17 to get vaccinated against COVID-19, the governor said. Anyone between those ages who was vaccinated in the state is automatically entered to win. Winners will receive a $50,000 scholarship for any public, in-state institution of higher education. As of July 12, the state began randomly selecting two winners and will continue with weekly drawings through Labor Day, when they will then pick four winners. “The virus, and its variants are a dangerous threat to you,” Hogan said. “Getting vaccinated is the only way to protect yourself and to continue on our recovery.” "The winners will receive a Maryland 529 prepaid college trust contract, which locks in today's tuition rates for the future, or a Maryland 529 College invest plan," said Gov. Hogan. "And the winner, if they decide down the line.... [that they] would like to attend a private institution or school that's outside of the state of Maryland, they can actually transfer the scholarship to the school of their choice."