It’s time for Arizonans to talk about saving for college and future dream jobs
Fifth and six graders could add to their AZ529 accounts in annual state essay contest
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Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee
Submitted photo/Christopher Barr
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AZ529, Arizona's Education Savings Plan, is a state-sponsored education savings plan where earnings grow tax-free. For more information, visit az529.gov.
For more information about this year’s AZ529 Essay Writing Contest, visit az529.gov/essaycontest.
September is College Savings Month, making this the perfect time for families to discover pathways to save and plan for future educational opportunities for their children.
It’s never too early and never too late to start saving for post-secondary education opportunities with an AZ529 Education Savings Plan. The options are endless, as education pathways can include college or vocational training, such as trade schools and apprenticeship programs.
The AZ529 Education Savings Plan is a state-sponsored program designed to provide families an opportunity to save for their child's or grandchild's future educational expenses in a tax-advantaged manner with eligible tax deductions up to $2,000 per year for individual contributions made to an account. Accounts may be opened with as little as $15 a month, plans grow tax-free and deductions can be made to multiple accounts.
Annual essay contest is underway
Additionally, to recognize College Savings Month, my office at the Arizona Treasury, together with the AZ529, Arizona Education Savings Plan, are asking Arizona fifth and sixth graders: “What is your dream job and how do you plan on achieving it in the future?” as part of the 6th annual AZ529 Essay Writing Contest.
Twenty winners will be selected across the state and awarded $529 toward 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, tribal school and homeschool will be selected.
Entries may be submitted online at az529.gov/essaycontest or by mailing them to 5th and 6th Grade Essay Writing Contest, Attention: Jeffrey O., Office of the State Treasurer, 1700 W. Washington St., #102, Phoenix, AZ 85007.
Deadline for both online and mailed submissions is Oct. 5, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
Winners’ parents or guardians will be responsible for setting up an AZ529 Education Savings Plan if an account does not already exist for their student.
How families can utilize 529 funds
AZ529 savings can be used to pay for a variety of higher education expenses, including tuition, fees and internet access. They may be used at accredited public and private colleges, universities, community colleges, technical training schools and apprenticeship programs in any state. Additionally, AZ529 savings can be used for school tuition or tutoring at private K-12 educational institutions.
What if my child doesn’t go to college or use all of their savings?
Families now have the option of transferring qualified “leftover” 529 funds, up to $35,000, into the account beneficiary’s Roth IRA retirement funds, free of any tax penalty, or applicable income limits.
As parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles think about the special young people in their lives, take this College Savings Month to consider opening an AZ529 Education Savings Plan for their future. Creating an education pathway with a thoughtful long-term financial plan for your loved one is a gift that will last a lifetime.
Editor’s note: State Treasurer Kimberly Yee is administrator of the AZ529 Education Savings Plan and chairs the Arizona Financial Literacy Task Force. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
