NCOESC opens Drive to Succeed driver education scholarship applications for teens in 14 Ohio counties

The North Central Ohio Educational Service Center is taking applications for its Drive to Succeed Scholarship Program, which pays the full cost of an approved driver education course at a state-certified driving school. According to the organization, the effort is backed by a $1.5 million grant from the Ohio Department of Public Safety's Ohio Traffic Safety Office.

Covered elements include 24 hours of classroom or online instruction, eight hours of behind-the-wheel training with a licensed instructor, and the completion certificate Ohio requires before a driver's license test.

Eligibility rules: applicants must be 15½ to 20 years old, hold a valid Ohio Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card, show recent eligibility for SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, Summer EBT/SunBucks or free or reduced-price lunch, and not have previously taken driver education. Those under 18 need a parent or guardian to finish OTSO's online parent orientation course.

Scholarships are limited to residents of 14 counties: Crawford, Cuyahoga, Erie, Huron, Lorain, Lucas, Marion, Morrow, Ottawa, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Union and Wyandot. Applications are handled on a rolling, first-come basis while money remains.

Dr. Bryan Drost, NCOESC's executive director of innovation and grants, said in the announcement that the grant launched in March with the aim of keeping cost from excluding young drivers, adding that driver education builds independence, employment and school access, and saves lives.

Details and applications are available at ncoesc.my.canva.site/drivetosucceed or by emailing drivetosucceed@ncoesc.org.