Long Beach City College (LBCC) will give up to $1 million in Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding (HEERF) to help incentivize currently unvaccinated students to get fully vaccinated before the Fall 2021 semester begins on Mon., Aug. 30.

Unvaccinated students who receive the two Moderna or Pfizer vaccination shots or the one Johnson & Johnson vaccine shot between Aug. 2 and Aug. 30 are eligible to receive a $300 voucher for Viking Campus Bookstores on the Liberal Arts and Pacific Coast Campuses. The vouchers will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis to students and will be distributed similarly to the financial aid process.

“The average age of our Long Beach City College students happens to be within the same age range that the Delta variant is affecting the unvaccinated,” said Long Beach Community College District (LBCCD) Interim Superintendent-President Dr. Mike Muñoz. “Because of this fact, we need to do our very best to encourage vaccines to keep our entire student body and College family safe.”

Last week, LBCC announced that it will require proof of vaccine from all employees and students enrolled in face-to-face, on-campus classes, or be required to test routinely for the COVID-19 virus. Students opting to take only online classes will not be required to show proof of vaccination/test requirements.  LBCC continues to comply with other best practices and protocols to help prevent transmission of COVID-19, such as frequent sanitization, use of facial coverings, and health screenings.

“LBCC’s new vaccine incentive can not only help keep our students healthy but also can offset the cost of books and supplies which will make for a safer, more affordable semester for everyone,” said LBCCD Board of Trustees President Uduak-Joe Ntuk.

Students were notified of the incentive this week via email, explaining the opportunity and benefits of being fully vaccinated.

Registration is now open for LBCC’s Fall 2021 Semester, which runs from Aug. 30 – Dec. 18. For more information or to enroll, visit www.LBCC.edu.