School Construction
Students need modern, up-to-date places to learn. Counties use money raised by the lottery to help build, repair, and renovate schools. Last year, counties received $100 million in lottery funds for school construction and $50 million − $500,000 per county − for repair and renovation projects. These funds help meet the needs that would otherwise have to be paid for by alternative means, such as property taxes. Local officials decide the best use of the construction funds they receive.
Needs-Based School Construction
In 2017, legislators increased funding for school construction by adopting a needs-based grant program. Administered through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the program uses lottery dollars to help smaller counties with critical building needs to build new schools and renovate older ones. Last year, over $416.5 million raised by the lottery helped 16 counties meet their school construction needs.
Pre-K
Being ready to learn helps kids get the most out of school. The N.C. Pre-K program serves four-year-old children who are at risk of falling behind their peers as they prepare for kindergarten. Thanks to lottery funds, 11,768 children across the state received a free, academic pre-school experience last year.
College Scholarships
Money raised by the lottery helps make dreams of college become reality. The NC Need-Based Scholarship for Public Colleges and Universities was available to eligible students who completed a FAFSA. Last year, the lottery funded 23% of scholarships based on financial need to award 66,789 scholarships for those attending a state university or community college in North Carolina. This year, the lottery will support the new Next NC Scholarship.
School Staff
It takes a team to make a school work. Last year, $386 million in lottery funds were made available to support the operations of public and charter schools, including the costs of support staff such as office assistants, custodians and substitute teachers.
School Transportation
Just like students need a place to learn, they also need a safe way to get to school. Money raised by the lottery helps cover costs for school-provided transportation, like bus drivers’ salaries, fuel, and other related costs. Last year, public and charter schools received over $21 million to help cover the cost of school transportation