South Carolina Lottery Funds Education with Second-Largest Payout; Powerball Jackpot Reaches $707 Million South Carolina’s Education Lottery concluded Fiscal Year 2026 with its second-largest education funding in a quarter-century, totaling $606.8 million, just $800,000 short of the record $607.6 million transferred in FY2021. This marks the second-highest annual contribution to education since the lottery’s inception in January 2002. The cumulative funds allocated to schools since 2002 now exceed $9.5 billion, with over $8.2 billion appropriated to higher education programs, including scholarships and grants like the LIFE, Palmetto Fellows, HOPE, and Needs-Based initiatives. In FY2026 alone, more than $500 million was directed toward higher education opportunities, while an additional $20 million supported K-12 programs. Over 2.8 million scholarships have been awarded to South Carolina students through the lottery’s history. CEO Dolly Garfield highlighted the lottery’s impact, stating, “Lottery play in South Carolina raises more than $1.5 million a day for education.” Commission Chairman Sam Litchfield emphasized the broader economic benefits, noting, “These funds will ensure South Carolina is the absolute best state to call home and receive a great education.” Critics, however, argue that merit-based scholarship programs often benefit students who would have attended college regardless of lottery funding, raising questions about the equitable distribution of resources. The Powerball jackpot, which rolled forward to $707 million after no winner in the July 29 drawing, remains the largest prize of 2026. The next drawing is scheduled for 10:59 PM ET, with the cash option valued at $309.7 million before taxes.#south_carolina_education_lottery #powerball_jackpot #south_carolina_lottery #dolly_garfield #sam_litchfield
