Lottery Sets Record for Education Funding in First Quarter

The Tennessee lottery sets record for education funding–scholarships and grants, after-school programs, energy-efficient schools and Tennessee Promise.

Tennessee lottery juices state’s education funding for grants and other programs.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Lottery says it returned a record $119 million for education funding during the first quarter of the year, a 27 percent increase over the previous quarterly record.

Lottery-funded programs include 12 different scholarships and grants, multiple after-school programs, an energy-efficient schools program and Tennessee Promise, which offers eligible high school seniors the chance to go to community or technical college without paying tuition.

Lottery President and CEO Rebecca Hargrove said the record adds to what was already becoming an all-time high fiscal year. The previous record of $93.6 million was set during the third quarter of 2015.

The quarter also broke records for instant ticket sales with $355 million, draw-style sales at $125 million and the three top selling months for total sales since inception.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press