10/26/2026
THE DEADLINE TO ENTER THE CHET DREAM BIG! COMPETITION IS NOVEMBER 6
$350,000 IN PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO CONNECTICUT STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS
HARTFORD, CT – There is still time for students to enter the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) Dream Big! Competition! The deadline to enter is 11:59 p.m. ET on Nov. 6, 2026. Dream Big! is open to all Connecticut residents in grades K-12 enrolled in a public, private, parochial, charter or home-based Connecticut school. Treasurer Erick Russell, Trustee of CHET, announced the Competition on Aug. 19, 2026.
As part of the annual 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.
“With the November 6 deadline fast approaching, now is the time for students across Connecticut to bring their ideas to life and submit an entry,” said Treasurer Russell. “The Dream Big! Competition is a chance for young people to think about their future, showcase their imagination and potentially receive a CHET 529 contribution to help them achieve their dreams.”
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.
Entry instructions, official rules, prize structure and additional details can be found at www.chetdreambig.com. 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 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. To learn more, visit: Connecticut Office of the Treasurer Erick Russell.
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 $19.9 trillion, including managed assets of $7.8 trillion as of June 30, 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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Contact: Brett Cody
brett.cody@ct.gov | (959) 529-2468