Seventh and eighth graders in Nebraska and across the country have until April 6 to submit their entries in the 2012 “Why I Want to Go to College” essay contest, State Treasurer Don Stenberg said today.
This year’s essays must be postmarked by April 6 and mailed to the Omaha Storm Chasers, Attn: Andrea Stava, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion, NE 68046. Faculty and students in the College of Education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha will review the essays, and Treasurer Stenberg will make final selections.
“I encourage seventh and eighth graders to submit their essays. The exercise is a good opportunity to practice your writing skills, which are vital for success in college and in your chosen profession. The process of writing your essay also will give you a chance to think about your future and why a college education is important to you,” Treasurer Stenberg said.
“Thriving communities, successful small businesses, healthy schools, and secure families all depend on educated citizens. The Nebraska Educational Savings Trust strives to help parents and children achieve their educational goals and contribute to their communities,” Stenberg said.
Three contest winners will be chosen in each of Nebraska’s three U.S. congressional districts. Three winners also will be selected from outside Nebraska.
Winners will receive tickets to the Omaha Storm Chasers baseball game May 20 at Werner Park in Papillion. First-place winners also will each receive a $1,000 contribution to a Nebraska college savings plan and a one-night hotel stay in Omaha. Second-place winners will each receive a $500 contribution to a college savings plan, and third-place winners will each receive a $300 contribution to a college savings plan. Winners from outside Nebraska will receive contributions to a college savings plan.
The following guidelines apply:
About NEST
NEST is a tax-advantaged 529 college savings plan and provides four plans to help make saving for college simple and affordable: NEST Direct College Savings Plan, the NEST Advisor College Savings Plan, the Bloomwell 529 Education Savings Plan, and the State Farm 529 Savings Plan. The Nebraska State Treasurer serves as Program Trustee. Union Bank & Trust Company serves as Program Manager, and all investments are approved by the Nebraska Investment Council. Families nationwide are saving for college using Nebraska’s 529 College Savings Plans, which have more than 285,000 accounts, including over 94,000 in Nebraska. Visit NEST529.com and treasurer.nebraska.gov for more information.
