Arizona 5th and 6th-graders have the opportunity to win $529 toward 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 sixth-annual statewide essay writing contest kicks off today and is now accepting entries from all 5th-and 6th-grade Arizona students.
A total of 20 winners will be selected across the state and will be awarded $529 towards 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, each representing a district, charter, private school, tribal school, and homeschool, will be selected. Up to five additional winners will be awarded in Maricopa and Pima counties, based on higher populations. Winners will be honored by Treasurer Yee during a special ceremony at the State Capitol in October.
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 August 25th either online to az529.gov/essaycontest or through direct mail. Entries must be received by October 5, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (MST).
“I’m excited to announce the AZ529 Essay Contest, which gives Arizona students the opportunity to share about their dreams for the future and take steps toward achieving their educational goals,” said Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee. “Now in its sixth year, this contest continues to inspire families across Arizona to reflect on their aspirations and start a financial savings plan towards academic success. Since I began administering the AZ529 Plan in October 2020, over 57,400 new accounts have been opened, and assets are up 64.7%. The goal of this wonderful essay contest is to increase awareness of AZ529 savings so more Arizona families can achieve their dreams through unlimited post-secondary education opportunities.”
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, up to $2,000 per beneficiary or $4,000 per beneficiary, 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 rollover unused funds into a Roth IRA, up to a $35,000 lifetime limit, 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/2025essaycontest.
