Arizona 5th and 6th Graders Have the Opportunity to Win $529 Towards Their Future Education and Career Goals
Contributed Article
PHOENIX – The Arizona State Treasurer’s Office, together with AZ529, Arizona’s Education Savings Plan, is asking Arizona fifth- and sixth-graders: “What is your dream job, and how do you plan on achieving it in the future?” The seventh annual statewide essay writing contest kicks off today and is now accepting entries from all Arizona 5th- and 6th-grade students.
A total of 20 winners will be selected statewide and will be awarded $529 toward opening a new or existing AZ529 Education Savings Plan. One winner will be selected from each of Arizona’s 15 counties, and at least one winner will be selected from each district, charter, private school, tribal school, and homeschool. Up to five additional winners will be awarded in Maricopa and Pima counties, based on higher populations. Treasurer Kimberly Yee will honor winners during a special ceremony at the State Capitol in November.
A total of $10,580 will be distributed to 20 exceptional winners towards an AZ529 Plan to help save for their educational aspirations beyond high school. Parents or guardians of the winners will be responsible for setting up an AZ529 account if an account does not already exist. All entries must be submitted starting Sept. 3rd either online to az529.gov/essaycontest or through direct mail. Entries must be received by Oct. 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (MST).
“This essay contest is a wonderful opportunity to invite Arizona students to share their future dreams and begin creating that pathway to higher education,” said Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee. “It’s never too early and never too late to start saving for college and vocational education. The contest encourages families to have a conversation about savings, and winners will receive $529 toward their AZ529 savings account. We received 886 entries from participating students across the state last year and look forward to hearing from even more students this year.”
Since Treasurer Kimberly Yee began administering the AZ529 Plan in October 2020, AZ529 accounts have increased by 74,995 new accounts, and assets are up 96.9% to $3.2 billion. The goal of the essay contest is to increase awareness of the AZ529 Plan and provide a path for another generation of students to achieve their post-secondary dreams through education savings.
The AZ529 Education Savings Plan offers a tax-free approach to setting money aside for college, community college, vocational training, trade school, and other educational avenues for high school graduates. Arizona residents can receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax deduction for contributions made to an AZ529 account each year, of up to $2,000 per individual or $4,000 per couple, depending on filing status. Funds earned over time will remain tax-free when used for a wide variety of covered educational expenses. Additionally, 529 plan beneficiaries can now roll over unused funds into a Roth IRA, free of income tax or tax penalties. Friends and family members may also add to a child’s AZ529 Plan at any time and earn the same tax benefits for themselves.
For more information about AZ529, visit http://www.AZ529.gov. For complete contest details and rules, visit https://az529.gov/essaycontest.
