Knox Public Health has received a grant from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office for the Drive to Succeed Scholarship Program. The goal of the Drive to Succeed Scholarship Program is to expand access to driver’s education training for income-eligible teenagers by providing a scholarship to those who cannot afford to take driver’s education training. Knox Public Health will administer the program, which is funded by a $142,000 grant from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office. Funding will be available to teenagers in Knox County from May 2024 to June 30, 2026.
“We know about half of Ohio teens obtain their driver’s license before they turn 18, which means they completed the mandatory requirements for licensure under Ohio law,” said Andy Wilson, director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. “But the other half who wait to get licensed are more likely to be involved in a crash in the first year they have a license. This is proof that driver training makes a difference.”
Knox Public Health is committed to ensuring the safety of all drivers and citizens on the roads, both within Knox County and beyond.
Eligibility:
1. Students need to be between the ages of 15-17 to apply. A newly turned 15-year-old can apply, but they must be 15 years and 5 months to start the driving class. (Applications of students enrolled in high school who are 18 years old will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please note that if an 18-year-old is approved for the scholarship and fails their driving class, they will be required to take an adult class at their own expense.)
2. Students must attend a Knox County public school including the Knox County Career Center or be a home school student who resides in Knox County.
3. Student applicants cannot: Be a current licensed driver, have taken a driver’s education class before, or be currently enrolled in a driver’s education class.
4. Students need to show financial eligibility by providing documentation through one of the following programs:
A. School reduced/free lunch
B. WIC/SNAP
C. Medicaid Recipient
5. Students need to provide one letter of recommendation from a non-family member. Letter is recommended from a teacher, coach, or another school employee. Letter needs to address attendance, accountability and character of student who is applying for the scholarship.
Only fully completed applications will be considered for the scholarship. Applications will be accepted anytime. Reviews and selections will be made within two weeks of the application being submitted. Completed applications can be emailed to Suzanne Dapprich (sdapprich@knoxhealth.com), mailed, or dropped off at Knox Public Health, ATTN Suzanne Dapprich, 11660 Upper Gilchrist Rd., Mount Vernon, OH 43050.
Once the student is selected and notified by Dapprich, the student or parent/guardian will schedule the student driving education course through Coshocton Driver Training School, which provides classes in Mount Vernon.
The student will provide a $25 deposit to the school that will then be used for their driving test.
It is the responsibility of the student and or parent/guardian to schedule a class with the driving school and for the student to abide by requirements of class attendance and driving instructions. As part of the requirements to participate in the program, students must complete two surveys provided by the Ohio Traffic Safety Office. One survey must be completed prior to driving classes beginning and the other survey must be completed once the student completes the course.
