ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia lottery officials say more than $261 million in proceeds was used to fund education initiatives during the third quarter of 2014.

Georgia lottery officials say third-quarter transfers in 2014 to the HOPE Scholarship program and state pre-kindergarten programs surpassed third-quarter proceeds from 2013 by more than $17 million. The third quarter of 2014 lasted from Jan. 1 to March 31.

Officials say 2014 saw the largest third-quarter transfer of proceeds in Georgia Lottery history. Lotto officials say the program has garnered more than $16.2 billion for education since its inception in 1993.