AZ529 2024 Essay Writing Contest
Dream.
Write. Win.
Your 5th or 6th grader could win $529 towards an AZ529 Education Savings Plan.
CONTEST IS OPEN AUGUST 26 THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2024.
Tell us how you’d make the world a better place!
For the fifth year, Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee and the AZ529 Education Savings Plan are hosting an essay contest for kids. The 2024 Essay Writing Contest invites Arizona 5th and 6th graders to submit essays explaining their dream job and the steps they’ll take to reach it. Winners will receive $529 toward an AZ529 Education Savings Plan to fund their future educational aspirations!
Contest Details
WHO:
All current 5th and 6th grade students in Arizona, including students from district, charter, private schools, tribal schools, and homeschools.
HOW:
Answer the question, “What is your dream job and how do you plan on achieving it in the future?” Responses should be a minimum of three (3) paragraphs with a maximum of 350 words. The more creative, unique, and thought-provoking the better!
WHEN:
Entries will be accepted through October 6, 2024 at 11:59 PM (MST).
WHERE:
Online:
Essays can be submitted online at AZ529.gov/EssayContest using the upload button on this page. (Accepted file types: Microsoft Word, PDF, JPG and JPEG. Max. file size: 256 MB).
Or you can mail entries to:
5th and 6th Grade Essay Writing Contest
Attention: Jeffrey O.
Office of the State Treasurer
1700 West Washington Street, #102
Phoenix, AZ 85007
WHY:
Because winning $529 towards a new or existing AZ529 Education Savings Plan is an incredible way to launch your 5th or 6th grader’s future!
PRIZES:
Twenty (20) prizes, each in the amount of $529, will be awarded towards a new or existing AZ529 Education Savings Plan. Winners will be selected from each of Arizona’s 15 counties and there will also be winners representing all types of schools, including students from district, charter, private schools, tribal schools, and homeschools. We’re excited to help 20 young writers start saving for their educational plans beyond high school!
Official Contest Rules
One (1) original entry per person.
HOW TO ENTER:
Online:
Upload entries using the “Upload Here” button on this page. (Accepted file types: Microsoft Word, PDF, JPG and JPEG. Max. file size: 256 MB).
Or you can mail entries to:
5th and 6th Grade Essay Writing Contest
Attention: Jeffrey O.
Office of the State Treasurer
1700 West Washington Street, #102
Phoenix, AZ 85007
All entries must be received by October 6, 2024 at 11:59 PM (MST).
JUDGING CRITERIA:
- Entries will be judged and scored by a panel of judges, including representatives of the AZ529 Plan Advisory Committee.
- Entries will be anonymously judged based on a scoring rubric of: 40 percent for overall content, 30 percent for originality, and 30 percent for organization. Any ties will be broken based on an additional score for overall readability and grammar.
- Judges will also ensure that a student is selected from each of the five (5) main types of schools in Arizona: district, charter, private schools, tribal schools, or homeschools.
ELIGIBILITY: All participants must be Arizona residents, currently enrolled in 5th or 6th grade as of August 2024 in an Arizona school. The parent or legal guardian submitting an entry on behalf of the minor must also be an Arizona resident. Employees and families of the Arizona State Treasurer’s Office and Davidson Belluso are not eligible to win.
PRIZES: Twenty (20) awards, each in the amount of $529, will be awarded toward an AZ529 Education Savings Plan, across Arizona. All prizes will be conveyed through a direct contribution to a new or existing AZ529 account in the name of the winner or their parent/guardian. No cash prizes will be awarded.
WINNER SELECTION/VERIFICATION: Winners and their parents/guardians will be notified by phone and/or email after the close of the contest and completion of judging. To receive AZ529 funds, parents/guardians must submit verification of an open AZ529 account within 90 days after the award notification. If verification is not completed within 90 days of the notification, the prize will be forfeited.
AGREEMENT TO THE OFFICIAL RULES: By participating in the Contest, each Entrant fully and unconditionally agrees to accept these Official Rules and the decision of the sponsor and judges which are final and binding in all matters related to the Contest. No purchase necessary to enter or win.
AGREEMENT TO USE OF CONTENT: By submitting an entry, each participant (and their parent or legal guardian) agrees to allow The Office of the Arizona State Treasurer, AZ529, Arizona’s Education Savings Plan and its agents to use the content of each essay. Verbiage from selected essays may be shared online or in print for marketing purposes, either in full or in excerpts. The child’s last name will not be shared or posted online or in a social message but may be used in news releases or media coverage. Further, by submitting an entry, a parent or legal guardian agrees to allow AZ529 to use their own or their child’s likeness, photograph(s), video, voice, or name without costs of advertising, publicity, social media, or any other lawful purpose in any medium now known or hereafter, without any review or approval.
DISCLOSURE OF SPONSORS: The AZ529 Education Savings Plan is managed by The Office of the Arizona State Treasurer. Approved AZ529 Plan providers include Fidelity and Goldman Sachs Asset Management. This contest is being managed by Davidson Belluso, marketing partner of the Arizona Education Savings Plan.
TAX LIABILITY: The Sponsors and their agents make no representations as to the tax liability or deductibility of a prize. Each participant (and their parent or legal guardian) shall be solely responsible for filing and paying any taxes arising from the receipt of a prize.
FAQs
The 20 winners will be declared by a panel of judges from the AZ529 Advisory Committee. The panel will read and judge each essay based on content, originality, and organization.
The AZ529 Education Savings Plan is a designated account to save for qualified higher education expenses at universities, colleges, vocational, and technical schools. Contributions to this account grow on a tax-deferred basis. Funds in an AZ529 account can be used for tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, a computer, internet services and other related educational expenses.
If your child wins, you will receive a $529 deposit into an AZ529 Education Savings Plan. AZ529 funds can be used to pay for higher education institutions across the country and some schools abroad. There is no obligation to use the winning funds at a specific vocational school, college, or university.
AZ529 funds can be used for education expenses including tuition and fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for an accredited postsecondary institution or participation in an apprenticeship program registered and certified with the Secretary of Labor under section 1 of the National Apprenticeship Act. AZ529 account funds can also be used for qualified student loan repayments, up to a lifetime maximum of $10,000 per beneficiary. Students who are enrolled at least half-time may use AZ529 account funds for room and board expenses.