Commercial Truck Driver Student Aid Program Accepting 4th Round Applications

COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio students seeking to earn a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) have another opportunity to receive financial aid thanks to an Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) 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 tied 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 received continued support in the state's biennial operating budget bill (HB33), signed last year by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.

"Commercial truck drivers play a vital role in Ohio's economy, and I commend the leadership of Governor DeWine and the General Assembly for seeing the value of this program and continuing to provide funding for it," said ODHE Chancellor Mike Duffey.

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 $2,550,000 in funding is available through the program in this funding round, and eligible institutions can request a maximum of $140,000 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/cdl.