First National Bank of Omaha and Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg today announced the six winning grandparents in the fourth annual Dear Grandchild Scholarship Drawing. Each winner will receive a $1,000 contribution to a NEST 529 College Savings Account for a beneficiary or beneficiaries of the winner’s choice.
To qualify for the scholarship drawing, grandparents submitted letters to their grandchildren, great-nieces or great-nephews, expressing their hopes and dreams for their loved ones and why higher education is important. A random drawing revealed the following six winners:
| WINNER | CITY, STATE |
|---|---|
| Anthony Reuters | Olathe, KS |
| Douglas Koopman | Hastings, NE |
| Gregory Coker | Myakka City, FL |
| Jerellen Fisher | Omaha, NE |
| Lynn Wood | Myrtle Beach, SC |
| Margaret Youngberg | Lincoln, NE |
“The responses to our Dear Grandchild Scholarship Drawing were heart-warming. Thank you to every grandparent, great-aunt and great-uncle who wrote encouraging and loving letters,” said Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg, Trustee of NEST. “Family support for higher education can motivate a child to pursue college. We hope this scholarship money helps grandparents realize the importance of their support, both financial and emotional, and keeps them involved in their grandchildren’s education.”
“Our team at NEST 529 College Savings realizes how important grandparents are in helping pay for college expenses. This annual scholarship drawing highlights the vital support system that grandparents provide. Thanks to grandparent love, several children are on a better financial path to achieving their college dreams,” said Deborah Goodkin, Managing Director, Savings Plans, First National Bank of Omaha.
The Dear Grandchild Drawing received entries between Sept. 11 and Nov. 30. Each winner may divide his or her winnings equally among up to four children. With the exception of New York and Florida, the contest was open to residents of the United States and the District of Columbia.
For scholarship contest rules, visit NEST529.com and click on Grow. Then select Scholarships & Rewards. Contest rules also are available at treasurer.nebraska.gov/csp/scholarships.
To find out more about NEST College Savings Plans, visit www.NEST529.com or treasurer.nebraska.gov.
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.
