Michigan Lottery: More than $24 Billion to Support Public Education Since 1972

Every time you play the lottery, it's a win for Michigan. Every Lottery purchase benefits K-12 education, gives a lift to local businesses, and supports companies that employ Michigan residents.

About 97 cents of every dollar spent on Lottery tickets is returned to the state in the form of contributions to the state School Aid Fund, prizes to players, and commissions to vendors and retailers. For every $1 spent on Lottery tickets, 27 cents goes to the state's School Aid Fund, 61 cents goes to prizes for players, and 9 cents goes to retailer and vendor commissions.

Since it began in 1972, the Lottery has contributed more than $24 billion to support public education in Michigan. For the most recent year, the Lottery's contribution to the School Aid Fund topped a record $1 billion. Michigan's K-12 public school system serves about 1.5 million students. Funding provided by the Lottery is equal to more than $700 for each student who attends a K-12 public school, or more than $2.9 million each day for schools throughout the state.

In addition to helping provide funding for public education in Michigan, the Lottery also has established the Excellence in Education program to recognize outstanding educators.

Every week during the school year, the Michigan Lottery selects one outstanding educator to receive the Excellence in Education award. The award includes a $1,500 cash prize and a $500 grant to the educator's classroom, school or school district.

Each winner also receives a plaque and their own news segment featured on WXYZ-TV in Detroit, FOX 17 in Grand Rapids, FOX 47 in Lansing, and WNEM-TV, Flint/Saginaw.

At the end of the school year, the Michigan Lottery selects one weekly winner to receive the Lottery's Educator of the Year award and a $10,000 cash prize.

All public-school employees may be nominated for the Excellence in Education awards. To nominate a public-school educator for the 2020-2021 school year, please visit http://bit.ly/ExcellenceInEducation.

Read more about Excellence in Education winners at milotteryconnect.com.