TIFFIN, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—North Central Ohio Educational Service Center (NCOESC) has been awarded a $1.5 million grant to provide driver training scholarships for eligible new drivers under the age of 21 through the Drive to Succeed program.

The initiative will serve students across a multi-county region, including Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, Wyandot, Marion, Union, Morrow, Crawford, Richland, Huron, Erie, Lorain, and Cuyahoga counties, significantly expanding access to driver education for families who may otherwise face financial barriers.

Beginning in early March, NCOESC will launch an online application portal where eligible students can apply for scholarships to offset the cost of driver training programs. In Ohio, driver training typically costs between $400 and $900, creating a significant financial burden for many families. The Drive to Succeed program is designed to eliminate this barrier, ensuring that all students—regardless of income—have access to high-quality driver education.

To qualify for a Drive to Succeed scholarship, applicants must:

  • Be 15½ to 20 years old
  • Be a resident of the State of Ohio
  • Possess a valid Ohio temporary driving permit
  • Demonstrate financial need, including proof of SNAP eligibility within the past 12 months
  • Complete a pre-enrollment survey
  • Sign an agreement committing to complete a driver education course at a selected school

For applicants under age 18, a parent or guardian must also:

  • Complete the ODPS/OTSO online Parent Orientation Course
  • Submit a certificate of completion
  • Sign a program agreement supporting course completion

Through this investment, NCOESC aims to increase equitable access to driver education, support safer driving outcomes, and remove systemic barriers that prevent young people from gaining essential life skills.

More information, including application access, will be available when the portal opens in early March. Check our website at ncoesc.org for further updates.

If you have questions regarding the application process, contact Debbie Huffman at dhuffman@ncoesc.org. If you have questions regarding the grant itself or the program, contact Dr. Bryan Drost at bdrost@ncoesc.org