NEST 529 College Savings Plans and First National Bank of Omaha are celebrating College Savings Month and National Grandparents Day with the fourth annual Dear Grandchild Scholarship Drawing.
Beginning September 11, grandparents can write a letter to their grandchild or their great niece or nephew, explaining their hopes and dreams for their loved ones and why higher education is important. Six grandparents will be selected to win a $1,000 contribution each to a NEST 529 College Savings Account for the beneficiary or beneficiaries of their choice.
The Dear Grandchild Drawing was announced today at the Nebraska State Capitol where Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts delivered an official proclamation declaring September as College Savings Month in Nebraska.
“This is the fourth year we are sponsoring the Dear Grandchild Scholarship Drawing, and it is always a popular campaign. As a grandfather myself, I know how treasured the bond is between grandparent and grandchild and how important it is to support and help save for a grandchild’s education,” said Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg, Trustee of NEST.
“This scholarship falls during College Savings Month, a time to bring recognition and awareness to the importance of saving for college with 529 college savings plans. Nebraska has been celebrating College Savings Month for 15 years, and I am pleased that Governor Ricketts has officially proclaimed September as College Savings Month in Nebraska. It’s a special day for NEST account owners in Nebraska and across the nation,” Stenberg said.
To qualify for the scholarship, an entrant can submit a letter beginning September 11, 2016, to a grandchild, great niece or great nephew, who is 18 years old or younger. The letter should be no longer than 500 words and must reflect the entrant’s original writing.
“We realize that many parents are overwhelmed at the thought of saving for college, especially when faced with the everyday expenses that come with a family,” said Deborah Goodkin, Managing Director, Savings Plans, First National Bank of Omaha. “Grandparents are in a unique position in that they can tap into their savings and help their grandchildren pay for college. Not to mention, these letters from grandparents will hopefully give children across the country the motivation and support they need to prepare for college both financially and in their educational endeavors.”
Entries must be submitted by email or mail, postmarked no later than November 30, 2016. The six winners will be selected by random drawing on or about December 9, 2016. Entries should be emailed to NEST@fnni.com using the subject line NEST Dear Grandchild Drawing. Mailed essays and cover sheets may be typed or handwritten and are to be sent to First National Bank of Omaha, Attn: NEST Dear Grandchild Drawing, 1620 Dodge St, Stop 1105, Omaha, NE 68197-1105.
Winners may divide their winnings equally among up to four children. With the exception of New York and Florida, the contest is open to U.S. residents of 48 states and the District of Columbia who have reached the age of majority at the time of entry and who are a grandparent, great aunt or great uncle as of the date of entry. All entries must include entrant information as explained in the official rules.
For complete scholarship contest rules and the required cover sheet, visit www.NEST529.com and click on Grow. Then select Scholarships & Rewards. Contest rules and cover sheet also are available at https://treasurer.nebraska.gov/csp/scholarships/.
For official scholarship contest rules, visit the NEST College Savings Plans at www.NEST529.com or the State Treasurer's Office at treasurer.nebraska.gov/csp/scholarships/.
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.
About First National Bank of Omaha
First National Bank of Omaha is a subsidiary of First National of Nebraska. First National of Nebraska and its affiliates have more than $23 billion in assets and 5,000 employee associates. Primary banking offices are located in Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Texas.
