The Georgia Lottery’s scholarship program just reached a massive milestone. Recently, Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that the lottery’s HOPE Scholarship Program has now awarded more than $15 billion in financial aid to over 2.1 million students.
The HOPE (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) Program, which is funded by the state lottery, including the Georgia online lottery, has been administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission since its inception in 1993.
“After three straight years of record-breaking economic development, Georgians have more opportunity than ever before,” Gov. Kemp said in a press release. “The HOPE Scholarship has been essential to that growth by preparing a generation of students for success. This milestone reminds us of that incredible impact and the lasting legacy of former Governor Zell Miller.”
Georgia Lottery success has fueled impactful HOPE Program
In 1993, the HOPE Program delivered $21 million to about 43,000 Georgia students in its first year. However, with the continued growth of the Georgia Lottery and its corresponding revenues, the HOPE Program awarded $841 million to 178,000 students this past year.
Lynne Riley, Georgia Student Finance Commission President, also said in the press release:
“I applaud Governor Kemp and members of the Georgia General Assembly, whose steadfast support of the HOPE Program helped to make this $15 billion milestone possible. The tremendous growth in utilization of the HOPE programs over thirty years illustrates the value of the many opportunities for our students to learn and succeed right here in Georgia.”
The HOPE Program is funded through the Georgia Lottery for Education and distributes its financial aid with a variety of scholarships and grants that are aimed at making post-secondary education more affordable. In all, HOPE Programs are offered at 79 public and private colleges and universities in the Peach State.
Scratch-off ticket changes to boost lottery sales in Georgia
In an effort to keep growing its lottery revenue and the corresponding aid provided by it, the Georgia Lottery recently eliminated $1 scratch-off tickets for the 2024 fiscal year.
Nationally, $1 scratch-off tickets have experienced a notable decline as many players turn toward higher price points that can deliver greater potential payouts. The Georgia Lottery has also witnessed a drop off in all scratch sales, with those revenues reducing over the past few fiscal years.
As a response, Georgia will nudge players toward $2 or $5 scratch-off options, which performed well in pilot tests.
The hope is that the increased prices will push revenues in the right direction.
Photo by KingN via Shutterstock
Graphic from the Georgia Lottery