Commercial Truck Driver Student Aid Program Accepting Applications

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio students seeking to earn a commercial driver’s license have a new opportunity to receive financial aid thanks to an Ohio Department of Higher Education program.

The Commercial Truck Driver Student Aid Program is meant to promote and encourage job growth for Ohio’s commercial drivers through educational training in programs related to employment opportunities.

Funds awarded to eligible institutions through a competitive application process will be disbursed in the form of grants and loans to students who enroll in approved CDL training programs at those institutions.

The student aid program was originally enacted in the state’s biennial budget bill, HB110, with additional parameters of the program set forth in SB166, signed by Governor DeWine last year.

“Commercial truck drivers continue to be a vital part of Ohio’s economy, and this additional round of funding will allow for even more growth of this occupation,” ODHE Chancellor Randy Gardner said. “Governor DeWine and the General Assembly are to be commended for their leadership in seeing this critical need and providing the additional funding to help Ohio students succeed.”

Students receiving funds to complete a CDL program must commit to reside and be employed in Ohio for a minimum of one year upon completion of the program. A total of up to $2.5 million in funding is available through the program in this funding round, and eligible institutions can request a maximum of $250,000 to support their CDL programs.

CDL programs must qualify as eligible through the Ohio Department of Public Safety for students enrolled in these programs to be candidates for grants and loans.

The application period for institutions opens today. Application materials can be found on the ODHE website at https://highered.ohio.gov/businesses/services-programs/cdl.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.