Maryland unveils college scholarship lottery to get teens vaccinated

Maryland will offer full-ride college scholarships as an incentive to get teenagers vaccinated against COVID-19, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced Wednesday.

The VaxU Scholarship Promotion will offer $50,000 scholarships, or the equivalent of full tuition and fees for a public four-year college or university, to 20 vaccinated students between the ages of 12 and 17.

Beginning July 12 and running for eight weeks, two winners will be randomly selected each Monday. On Labor Day, four additional winners will be selected.

Hogan said the winners will receive a Maryland 529 Prepaid College Trust contract, which locks in current tuition rates for the future, or a Maryland 529 College Investment Plan.

If the students decide to attend private or out-of-state school, the scholarship can be transferred.