$100,000 college tuition raffle possible due to change in state law

Posted by: Debbie Bowley on Mon, 07 April 2008 14:57:06

MILFORD, Conn.--Thanks to a change in state law that Lauralton Hall staff members helped lawmakers execute, individuals have the chance to win $100,000 in tuition that can be used to attend any accredited K-12, college or graduate school in the United States.

     The first raffle of its kind in Connecticut, the contest is considered by many to be “a golden opportunity,” as it allows the winner to use the prize for up to two students.

     The law that allows the raffle went into effect Oct. 1, 2007. Overseen by the state Division of Special Revenue, the winning ticket will be pulled at 7:30 p.m. on May 21, 2008 on the Lauralton campus.
      The winner does not need to be present, though Lauralton President Barbara C. Griffin says she feels the excitement building.
      “The first of anything new can be exciting, but the fact that this raffle offers such a unique opportunity seems to just add to the anticipation,” Mrs. Griffin said. “It’s not every day that you get the chance to win $100,000 in school tuition, and the odds are in the purchaser’s favor.”
      Just 3,000 tickets are being sold for the raffle, which is being held as fund-raiser for Lauralton Hall.
      Although it was Mrs. Griffin and other Lauralton administrators who came up with the idea for the raffle--and who worked with Special Revenue officials to make the needed law changes--Milford state representative and House Speaker James Amann, D-118, was a big supporter.
      “As anyone who’s ever worked to change a law knows, it involves a lot of paperwork and conversations,” Mrs. Griffin added. “We’re grateful for Mr. Amann’s support and guidance. When we needed help, he pointed us in the right direction.”
      In addition to tuition, eligible expenses from the raffle prize include room and board, books and other school-related fees, with the prize money paid directly to the school.
      Tickets can be purchased at the school at 200 High St., Milford, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. by using cash, check or credit card. Or, call (203) 877-2786, ext. 143 to order by telephone, or to request a mail-order form.
      The winner has up to four years to name the student or students who will receive the tuition funding, which may include the winner himself, family members or friends. The winner may also choose to view the raffle prize as a philanthropic opportunity, requesting that a specific educational institution recommend appropriate students to receive the award.
      Although the winnings need to be spent over four consecutive years, payments do not need to commence until the student or students are ready to use the funds. That means depending on who wins the raffle, the funds may be used right away or held for several years.
      “We look at the raffle as a great way to support both Lauralton’s mission and education in general,” Griffin added. “We hope it might help someone go to a school he or she could not have otherwise afforded, offering a really golden opportunity.”