Lincoln, Neb. (May 20, 2015) – Nebraska’s 529 College Savings Plans
(NEST), First National Bank of Omaha, Nebraska State Treasurer Don
Stenberg and the Nebraska Library Commission announced today the
NEST Read to Win $529! Drawing as part of library summer reading
programs across the state. Almost $8,000 in NEST 529 College
Savings scholarships and more than $3,700 in donations to libraries
will be awarded.
The announcement was made during preschool story time at Eiseley
Branch Library in Lincoln.
Fifteen summer readers, five in each of Nebraska’s three
congressional districts, will be randomly drawn from those who
complete a summer reading program. Each winner will receive $529 in
a NEST college savings account. The library of each winner will
receive a $250 donation. To enter, children must register for the
summer reading program at their libraries and complete the program
as defined by their libraries.
“This is a perfect partnership for the Nebraska State Treasurer’s
Office,” Stenberg said. “We know that children eagerly have been
participating in summer reading programs at their local libraries
for years without monetary incentives. But the NEST 529 Read to Win!
Drawing is an ideal opportunity to recognize summer readers and help
them see the connection between reading and learning. Maybe in doing
so, we plant a seed for their future educational endeavors and a
greater awareness of the benefits of saving through our Nebraska
Educational Savings Trust, known as NEST.”
“NEST is proud to support the educational efforts of Nebraska’s
children as well as the great work of the libraries statewide,” said
Deborah Goodkin, Managing Director of NEST at First National Bank of
Omaha, the NEST Program Manager. “With the libraries encouraging
leisure reading during the summer, children can daydream and think
of places they want to go and what they want to be. We hope this
scholarship program encourages children and families to get involved
in summer reading and complete the program with a little extra
incentive for a possible scholarship.”
“Nebraska public libraries’ summer reading programs are great
opportunities for children and teens to have the time to enjoy
reading while maintaining and improving reading skills. They can
also enjoy the many activities that are part of this year’s Every
Hero Has a Story summer reading program,” said Nebraska Library
Commission Director Rod Wagner. “As places for learning, libraries
are a natural partner for NEST—helping to illustrate the importance
of children and their parents setting aside money for college
education. The Nebraska Library Commission is pleased to join with
the Nebraska State Treasurer, First National Bank of Omaha, Regional
Library Systems, and Nebraska public libraries to promote lifelong
learning, financial education and planning.”
Winners will be drawn from the names of children who complete the
summer reading program as submitted at the end of their programs by
libraries throughout Nebraska. Winners will be announced during
college savings month in September.
For official scholarship rules, visit the NEST College Savings Plans
at
www.NEST529.com, the State
Treasurer's Office at
treasurer.nebraska.gov/csp/ or the Nebraska Library Commission
at
http://nlc.nebraska.gov.
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About NEST
NEST is a tax-advantaged 529 college savings plan and provides four
plans to help make saving for college simple and affordable: NEST
Direct College Savings Plan, the NEST Advisor College Savings Plan,
the TD Ameritrade 529 College Savings Plan, and The State Farm
College Savings Plan. The Nebraska State Treasurer serves as the
Program Trustee. First National Bank serves as the Program Manager,
and all investments are approved by the Nebraska Investment Council.
Families nationwide are saving for college using the NEST 529 plans,
which have more than 229,000 accounts, including 67,000 in Nebraska.
Visit NEST529.com and
treasurer.nebraska.gov for more information.
About First National Bank
First National Bank of Omaha is a subsidiary of First National of
Nebraska, which is the largest privately owned banking company in
the United States. First National and its affiliates have $17
billion in managed assets and nearly 5,000 employee associates.
Primary banking offices are located in Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois,
Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Texas.
About Nebraska Library Commission
As Nebraska’s state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission
is an advocate for the library and information needs of all
Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide
promotion, development, and coordination of library and information
services-“bringing together people and information.” Visit
http://booksarejustthebeginning.com/
for more examples of how Books Are Just the Beginning at Nebraska
libraries.
Investments Are Not FDIC Insured* No Bank, State or Federal
Guarantee May Lose Value
*Except the Bank Savings Individual Investment Option
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The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library
Commission are always available on the Library Commission Website,
http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases.