CHET DREAM BIG! COMPETITION RETURNS AUGUST 19 WITH $350,000 IN PRIZES FOR CONNECTICUT STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS

Office of the Treasurer Press Release Banner

08/19/2026

OVER 250 K-12 STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD THEIR FUTURE EDUCATION

HARTFORD, CT – The Dream Big! Competition has returned! Treasurer Erick Russell, Trustee of the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET), today announced the 2026 CHET Dream Big! Competition will run from Aug. 19, 2026, through Nov. 6, 2026. The competition is open to all Connecticut residents in grades K-12.

As part of the Dream Big! Competition, students in grades K-12 submit essays, videos, and artwork based on a question about their dreams or how they can help their communities. This year, $350,000 in prizes will be awarded as CHET 529 College Savings Plan Account contributions, along with technology prizes to Connecticut schools. Three students will each be awarded $20,000 prizes, 24 will each be awarded $5,000 prizes, and 240 will each be awarded $500 prizes.

"Every student has a story to tell and dreams worth pursuing," said Treasurer Russell. "The Dream Big! Competition gives Connecticut students an opportunity to express themselves, reflect on their goals, and earn financial support for their future education through a CHET 529 Savings Plan. I look forward to seeing the creativity, ambition, and optimism Connecticut students bring to this year's competition."

In addition to student prizes, every school in Connecticut with at least one student entry will be eligible for a random drawing. Ten schools will win a technology prize, each valued at $5,000.

Please visit www.chetdreambig.com and click on Official Contest Rules (PDF) for more information on prize structure and awards, as well as entry instructions. Submissions must be uploaded by 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2026. No purchase is necessary to enter or win.

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About the Office of the Treasurer

The Office of the Treasurer is charged with safeguarding Connecticut’s financial resources through prudent cash management and debt management, with the State Treasurer serving as principal fiduciary for six state pension and thirteen state trust funds. Additionally, the Office enhances the state’s fiscal stability through programs promoting financial literacy and college savings, and it leverages business partnerships to support the advancement of Connecticut’s social and policy priorities, including combating gun violence and protecting our environment. The Office of the Treasurer is led by State Treasurer Erick Russell, the first Black, out LGBTQ person to win an election for statewide office in American history. To learn more, visit portal.ct.gov/ott.

About CHET

The Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) direct-sold college savings plan was established in 1997 and has grown to more than $6.8 billion in assets and 198,000 accounts. Over $4 billion has been withdrawn from CHET accounts to help more students pay for college expenses. The State of Connecticut offers CHET to help families save for future higher education costs. Funds deposited into a CHET account have tax advantages and can be used at accredited colleges and universities across the country, including vocational and technical schools, and some colleges abroad. Connecticut residents are allowed to deduct 529 contributions from their state income taxes – up to $5,000 for an individual or up to $10,000 for a married couple filing jointly. Investment earnings are exempt from state and federal taxes if used for qualified educational expenses.

For more information, visit AboutCHET.com. Find us on Facebook (facebook.com/CHET529), follow us on Twitter (@CHET529) or on Instagram (@CHET529).

About Fidelity Investments

Fidelity’s goal is to strengthen the financial well-being of our customers and deliver better outcomes for the clients and businesses we serve. Fidelity’s strength comes from the scale of our diversified, market-leading financial services businesses that serve individuals, families, employers, wealth management firms, and institutions. With assets under administration of $17.9 trillion, including managed assets of $7.0 trillion as of March 31, 2026, we focus on meeting the unique needs of a broad and growing customer base. Privately held for 80 years, Fidelity employs more than 80,000 associates across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. For more information about Fidelity Investments, visit https://www.fidelity.com/about-fidelity/our-company.

The Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) 529 College Savings Plan - Direct Plan is offered by the Treasurer of the state of Connecticut and managed by Fidelity Investments. If you or the designated beneficiary is not a Connecticut resident, you may want to consider, before investing, whether your state or the beneficiary's home state offers its residents a plan with alternate state tax advantages or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds and protection from creditors.

Please carefully consider the plan's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. For this and other information on any 529 college savings plan managed by Fidelity, contact Fidelity for a free Fact Kit or view one online. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.

Units of the portfolios are municipal securities and may be subject to market volatility and fluctuation.

The Fidelity Investments and pyramid design logo is a registered service mark of FMR LLC.

The views expressed are as of the date indicated and may change based on market or other conditions. Unless otherwise noted, the opinions provided are those of the speaker or author, as applicable, and not necessarily those of Fidelity Investments.

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Media Contacts:

Office of the Treasurer: Brett Cody
brett.cody@ct.gov | (203) 218-1187

Dream Big!: Amanda Savio
asavio@mintz-hoke.com | (860) 543-3865

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