Ayisha Sheard said she'd pay off her kids' college tuition, and "probably get a new house built from the ground."

CHICAGO - With no winners on Christmas Eve, the Mega Millions jackpot reached $1.22 billion on Friday. If there is a lucky winner, they are expected to receive an estimated $549.7 million payout. The drawing is scheduled for 10 p.m. Friday, with ticket sales to close at 9:45 p.m.

Some winners in Tuesday's Mega Millions drawing took home smaller prizes, including three tickets in Illinois that scored $10,000 each.

After three months without anyone winning the top prize in the lottery, a ticket worth an estimated $1.22 billion was sold in California for the drawing Friday night, according to the Mega

The Mega Millions jackpot rose to $1.22 billion after no one managed to hit all six numbers on Christmas Eve. The Friday night drawing comes with a cash option of $549.7 million. If it's won,

It’s been a busy month for lottery players. The Mega Millions jackpot now stands at a $1.22 billion ahead of a Dec. 27 drawing, after a Christmas Eve drawing failed to yield a winner. That makes it the largest such prize for either of the two big multistate lottery games — Mega Millions and Powerball — in the holiday-filled month of December,

The Mega Millions jackpot has reached $1.22 billion. Experts say winners should generally take the money in annuities, but that’s not what most people do.

As the Mega Millions jackpot continues to rise to higher and higher numbers, here is what you need to know ahead of the next drawing.