Summer library users between the ages 3 and 18 still have time to register for the Read to Win $529! Drawing and a chance to win a $529 contribution to a Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST) college savings account, Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg said today.
Nebraska children and teens who register for the summer reading program in their local libraries automatically will be entered in the Read to Win $529! Drawing. Readers must be registered by August 23 and must complete the summer reading program requirements specified by the local library to be entered in the drawing.
Winners will be chosen on or about September 15 and will be recognized at the Capitol this fall. Five summer readers from each of the state’s three congressional districts will each receive a $529 contribution to a NEST college savings account. The library where each winner registered will receive a $250 contribution to be used by the library or its foundation or friends organization.
This is the third year the Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office and First National Bank of Omaha, program manager of NEST, have partnered with the Nebraska Library Commission to sponsor the NEST Read to Win $529! Drawing. Almost 11,000 entries were received last summer.
The $529 contribution relates to Section 529 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, which allows for tax savings for owners of accounts in state-sponsored 529 college savings programs like NEST.
“The large number of entries last year demonstrates the role that public libraries play in providing recreation, entertainment, and education to our children during the summer months. I appreciate this opportunity to partner with the Nebraska Library Commission to promote summer reading and to bring greater awareness to the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust,” Stenberg said.
“Now in our third year partnering with the Nebraska Library Commission, we happy to continue our joint mission to motivate Nebraska children and teens to prepare for college—both academically and financially,” said Deborah Goodkin, Managing Director, Savings Plans, First National Bank of Omaha. “We look forward to rewarding 15 summer readers with savings that will advance their educations.”
Nebraska Library Commission Director Rod Wagner commented, “The NEST Read to Win $529 is an excellent incentive for Nebraska Summer Reading Program participants. Read to Win $529 is a great way to bring awareness to Nebraska’s 529 College Savings Plans. Young readers become lifelong learners and will benefit from college savings plans when they advance to higher education. We thank Nebraska State Treasurer Stenberg and First National Bank Omaha for hosting drawings for Nebraska Summer Reading Program participants to support college savings.”
Read to Win contest rules are available at www.NEST529.com. Those who are interested should click on “Grow” and select “Scholarships & Rewards.” Rules also are available at https://treasurer.nebraska.gov/csp/scholarships/.
Information on the Nebraska Summer Reading Program is available at the Nebraska Library Commission’s website at http://nlc.nebraska.gov/youth/summerreading/ or at local libraries.
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.
