North Dakota Students Won College Save Scholarships

Ten children received $529 contributions to college accounts after completing a summer reading program.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Scholarships

Bold vector editorial illustration of an open book and stacks of geometric blocks against a stylized prairie, symbolizing academic growth. — Ten North Dakota students were awarded $529 college savings contributions after meeting reading goals in the statewide Unearth a Story program. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Aubrie Gutierrez of Williston is one of 10 students who earned a $529 contribution to a College Save Plan. The awards were granted following a statewide summer reading program that challenged children to meet specific literacy goals.

Why it matters

The program is a partnership between the North Dakota State Library and the Bank of North Dakota designed to encourage literacy while promoting long-term financial planning for higher education. By linking reading milestones to tax-deferred savings, the initiative aims to build college readiness across the state.

The $529 scholarship amount corresponds to federal IRS codes for tax-deferred education savings tools. Additionally, participating children earned certificates for $10 or $25 contributions depending on account status.

The players

Aubrie Gutierrez

A student from Williston who was selected as one of the 10 recipients of the scholarship contribution.

North Dakota State Library

The state agency that partners with the Bank of North Dakota to oversee the summer reading initiative.

Bank of North Dakota

The state-owned financial institution that serves as the trustee of the College Save Trust.

The details

The Unearth a Story reading program required participants to complete specific reading goals throughout the summer. Participants who met these objectives received certificates for contributions to College Save Plan accounts, with winners for the larger $529 awards selected randomly.

Children participated in the summer reading program during Summer 2026.
The deadline for certificates for College Save Plan contributions is December 31, 2026.

Culture Shift

The program reflects a growing trend of integrating financial literacy and education savings incentives into traditional youth enrichment activities. This approach highlights how public institutions are shifting toward incentivizing long-term investment in addition to academic achievement.

Families who participated in the summer program should check their certificates to ensure they are deposited into their savings accounts before the year-end expiration. These contributions provide a tangible boost to education funds without requiring out-of-pocket costs from parents.

The takeaway

This initiative serves as a reminder that small consistent reading goals can lead to significant financial support for higher education. Parents can utilize similar state-sponsored savings plans to begin building a tax-advantaged college fund for their children at any time.