PHOENIX — September marks the beginning of college savings month in Arizona. Arizona’s state treasurer Kimberly Yee is kicking it off with an essay competition asking students to write about their dream jobs.
Twenty winners from all across Arizona will get $529 for their AZ529 account.
At the Boys and Girls Club of the Valley, there are a lot of kids with big dreams.
“I want to be a volleyball coach and a teacher of either math or ELA," sixth grader Bellamar Scott-Ramos said.
“I want to be a soccer player and a lawyer. Because I’m good at arguing," Charles Strand-Flores said.
To achieve those goals, these fifth and sixth graders want to pursue a college degree.
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Treasurer Yee is telling them about the essay contest they can submit to so they can get a jump start.
“It’s a very short paragraph you need to write about what you want to be when you grow up," Yee said. "That will give you a chance to submit it and give you a chance to win $529 for your future education.”
Yee is trying to reach as many kids and parents as possible, heading across the state again to promote the contest and the savings plan.
“We have seen so much growth in this program. In just 46 months, we have seen 44,500 new families sign up for an education savings plan," Yee said.
Strand-Flores says he plans to take what he learned today and start saving.
“If you save, you have it when you need it. And when you have a lot, you can give it to other people.”
Yee adds if your child eventually decides college isn’t for them, the saved money can be spent on other types of education like vocational schools, trade programs, and workforce development.
The essay contest runs through October 6 and submissions can be made online. Learn more here.
