Nest529 “Why I Want To Go To College” 2026 Writing Sweepstakes Now Open 

LINCOLN, NEB. – Nebraska State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg, in partnership with the Omaha Storm Chasers, has announced the 24th annual “Why I Want to Go to College” writing sweepstakes.

Students are asked to reflect on the value of education and what they hope to achieve through education after high school. Prizes will be awarded to 12 winners in seventh and eighth grades. Winners will receive contributions to the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST 529) college savings accounts – including $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third place. NEST 529 is the state-sponsored college savings program that allows for tax-advantaged investments and tax-free qualified withdrawals.

Essays should be limited to 750 words. Entries must be postmarked by March 16, 2026, and sent to: Alexis Smith, Omaha Storm Chasers, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion, NE 68046.

Three winners will be chosen from each of Nebraska’s three Congressional districts. Another three winners will be chosen from outside Nebraska. Winners will be notified in April.

Each Nebraska winner will receive four tickets to the May 3, 2026, Storm Chasers game at Werner Park in Papillion. During the game, winners will be recognized during a brief ceremony prior to the first pitch.

“This contest gives students a chance to reflect on their educational goals – their life goals – and how to achieve them,” Treasurer Spellerberg said. “It also gives my office a chance to tell more Nebraskans about our NEST 529 plans, which have a 25-year history of strong performance. It’s why my wife and I own four NEST accounts for our children.”

More information about the sweepstakes is available at treasurer.nebraska.gov/csp.

ABOUT NEST 529

NEST 529 is a tax-advantaged 529 education savings plan and provides four plans to help make saving for college simple and affordable: NEST Direct College Savings Plan, NEST Advisor College Savings Plan, Bloomwell 529 Education Savings Plan, and State Farm 529 Savings Plan. The Nebraska State Treasurer serves as Program Trustee. Union Bank and 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 Education Savings Plans, which have over 300,000 accounts. Visit NEST529.com and treasurer.nebraska.gov for more information.

ABOUT UNION BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

Founded in 1917 with over 50 years of family ownership, Union Bank and Trust Company offers complete banking, lending, investment, and trust services. The bank has 38 full-service and loan production offices in Nebraska and Kansas. It is the third largest privately owned bank in Nebraska, with bank assets of $8.7 billion and trust assets of $40 billion as of Dec. 31, 2024. Voters have chosen Union Bank and Trust Company as Best Bank, Best Work Environment, and Best Financial Planner in Lincoln for 14 years running.

Important Legal Information

An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses associated with municipal fund securities before investing. This and other important information is contained in the fund prospectuses and the NEST Direct College Savings Plan Program Disclosure Statement (issuer’s official statement), which can be obtained at NEST529.com and should be read carefully before investing. You can lose money by investing in an Investment Option. Each of the Investment Options involves investment risks, which are described in the Program Disclosure Statement.

An investor should consider, before investing, whether the investor’s or beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in such state’s 529 plan. Investors should consult their tax advisor, attorney, and/or other advisor regarding their specific legal, investment, or tax situation.

The NEST Direct College Savings Plan (the “Plan”) is sponsored by the State of Nebraska, administered by the Nebraska State Treasurer, and the Nebraska Investment Council provides investment oversight. Union Bank and Trust Company serves as Program Manager for the Plan. Union Bank and Trust Company is registered as a municipal advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB). The Plan offers a series of Investment Options within the Nebraska Educational Savings Plan Trust (the “Trust”), which offers other Investment Options not affiliated with the Plan. The Plan is intended to operate as a qualified tuition program.

Except for investments made by a Plan participant in the Bank Savings Underlying Investment up to the limit provided by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance, neither the principal contributed to an account, nor earnings thereon, are guaranteed or insured by the State of Nebraska, the Nebraska State Treasurer, the Nebraska Investment Council, the Trust, the Plan, any other state, any agency or instrumentality thereof, Union Bank and Trust Company, the FDIC, or any other entity. Investment returns are not guaranteed. Account owners in the Plan assume all investment risk, including the potential loss of principal.

NOT FDIC INSURED*| NO BANK GUARANTEE | MAY LOSE VALUE

(Except the Bank Savings Underlying Investment)*