Summer “Picture-Perfect Career” Photo Contest Offers Arizona K-12th Graders Opportunity to Win $529 Towards Education and Career Goals
PHOENIX AZ – The Arizona State Treasurer’s Office together with AZ529, Arizona’s Education Savings Plan are inviting Kindergarten through 12th grade students across the state to take a creative photo of their future dream job for the “My Picture-Perfect Career” Photo Contest. Summer vacation is an ideal time for families to talk with their children about what they’d like to be when they grow up and explore potential career interests with trips to Arizona libraries, museums and other local hands-on learning resources.
Arizona students are encouraged to take or pose for a photo representing themselves in their dream job. They can take a selfie, pose for a picture, invite friends and family into the shot or come up with their own creative ideas. The final photo just needs to visually communicate their vision of a dream job – whether the participant is in front of or behind the camera! A total of 10 winners will be selected across the state and receive $529 towards opening a new or existing AZ529 Education Savings Plan. Winners will be selected from across Arizona’s 15 counties including students at district, charter, private schools, tribal schools and homeschools.
In total, $5,290 will be distributed to 10 students to assist in saving for their educational plans beyond high school. Parents or guardians of the winners will be responsible for setting up an AZ529 account if an account does not already exist. All entries must be submitted starting Monday, May 6 to az529.gov/2024photocontest. Entries must be received by Sunday, June 9, at 11:59 p.m. (MST). Please be advised that by submitting photos to this contest, you acknowledge and agree that the student and the photo may be publicly displayed, including on our website and social media channels.
“We are excited to bring back this student photo contest for a second time to encourage families across the state to engage in these important conversations about education and savings throughout the summer,” said Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee. “It’s never too early and it’s certainly never too late for families to start planning for their child’s future, especially when it comes to saving for their future education. An AZ529 Education Savings Plan is a perfect place to start. This photo contest encourages young students to think about their dream job and what it takes to get there.”
The AZ529 Education Savings Plan offers a tax-free approach to setting money aside for college, community college, vocational training, trade school and other educational avenues for high school graduates. Arizona residents can receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax deduction for contributions made to an AZ529 account each year, of up to $2,000 per beneficiary or $4,000 per beneficiary depending on filing status. Funds earned over time will remain tax-free when used for a wide variety of covered educational expenses. Beginning this year, 529 plan beneficiaries can rollover unused funds into a Roth IRA for retirement, free of income tax or tax penalties. Additionally, friends and family members may add to a child’s AZ529 Plan at any time and earn the same tax benefits for themselves.
For more information about AZ529, visit az529.gov. For complete contest details and rules, visit az529.gov/2024photocontest.
