Mega Millions brings in money for Missouri education

While no one in Missouri won Tuesday night’s large Mega Millions jackpot, the lottery directly affected education in the state.

The jackpot climbed to $636 million on Tuesday, the second-largest lottery prize in U.S. history.

Because of the jackpot’s large amount and increased popularity, Missouri sold almost $16 million worth of Mega Millions tickets.

Lottery officials say $6 million of that is going directly into Missouri elementary, secondary and higher education schools.

The remainder will go toward the funding of various state education programs, like the A+ Schools Program.

Missouri Lottery says the large Mega Millions jackpot really gave them a boost.

“When we’re able to have exciting jackpots like the Mega Millions jackpot we just had, we’re able to contribute even more to education,” said May Scheve Reardon of the Missouri Lottery.

The Missouri Lottery contributed more than $288 million to public education in the last fiscal year.