Published in the Asheville Citizen-Times August 9, 2021
A-B Tech is rolling out vaccine incentives ahead of the upcoming school year.
Any students enrolled in Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College's academic, continuing education or workforce programs who provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination will receive a $150 gift card to the college’s bookstore.
Students can show their government ID and proof of vaccination at the Bailey Student Services Center from Aug. 5 to Oct. 15.
“We hope to encourage more students to get fully vaccinated as we prepare to return to in-person fall classes,” A-B Tech Vice President of Student Services Terry Brasier said.
A-B Tech kicked off the vaccine incentive program Aug. 5 at its New Student Welcome Day. During the event, the Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services offered Pfizer and Moderna shots. The health department also is investing in vaccine incentives. Anyone 18 and older getting their first dose can receive $100 prepaid Mastercards from the state. People driving someone to their first dose are eligible for $25 cards.
Money for the A-B Tech’s gift cards will come from the school’s federal COVID relief funds, Brasier said. As of June 30, the school had received more than $13 million from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.
A-B Tech also has used federal relief funds to offer tuition assistance for students impacted from the pandemic. Recent high school graduates can receive as much as $2,800 from the relief funds, and students whose jobs were affected by COVID-19 could get anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000.