Entries for the 12th annual “Why I Want to Go to College” writing contest for seventh and eighth graders are due March 28, Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg said today. The contest is sponsored by the Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office and the Omaha Storm Chasers.
In their entries, students are asked to reflect on the value of a college education and what they would like to achieve through higher education. In the past many students have written about career opportunities, motivation, and the positive influences of their families and teachers.
“Seventh and eighth graders still have time to organize their thoughts, compose their pieces, and submit their entries for this year’s competition. The contest provides an opportunity for students to reflect on higher education, to practice their writing skills, and to earn substantial prizes to help them start saving for college,” Treasurer Stenberg said. “I look forward to reading the students’ work and learning about their hopes and dreams for college and careers.”
Treasurer Stenberg is Trustee of the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST), Nebraska’s state-sponsored 529 college savings program. State-sponsored 529 college savings programs take their name from Section 529 of U.S. Internal Revenue Code and provide substantial state and federal tax benefits for account owners.
Winners in the “Why I Want to Go to College” writing competition receive contributions to Nebraska’s state-sponsored 529 college savings plans, ranging from $2,000 to $500 each. Three winners will be chosen in each of Nebraska’s three U.S. congressional districts, and three winners will be selected from outside Nebraska.
Winners from Nebraska will be recognized May 11 at the Omaha Storm Chasers’ game at Werner Park in Papillion, Neb.
Entries to the “Why I Want to Go to College” writing contest are limited to 750 words each and must be postmarked by March 28. The entries will be judged by faculty and students at the College of Education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha with final selections made by Treasurer Stenberg. Winners will be announced in early May.
First-place winners will each receive a $2,000 contribution to a Nebraska college savings plan. Second-place winners will each receive a $1,000 contribution to a college savings plan, and third-place winners will each receive a $500 contribution to a college savings plan. First-place winners from Nebraska will receive a one-night hotel stay in Omaha, and all Nebraska winners will receive tickets to the May 11 Storm Chasers’ game.
The following guidelines apply to contest entries:
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.
