Knox Public Health has recently announced its Drive to Succeed Scholarship Program, made possible by a generous $142,000 grant from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office.
This initiative aims to provide income-eligible teenagers with access to driver’s education by covering the cost of training. Applications are open now through June 2026 or until funds are exhausted, offering a significant opportunity to enhance driver safety and training in the community, according to a press release.
“We know about half of Ohio teens obtain their driver’s license before turning 18, meeting Ohio’s mandatory requirements for licensure,” Andy Wilson, Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety said. “However, the other half who delay licensing are more likely to be involved in crashes during their first year of driving. This highlights the difference driver training can make.”
To qualify for the scholarship, they must be students in Knox County or surrounding counties (Richland, Licking, Morrow, Ashland, Holmes, Coshocton, Delaware), including homeschooled students who meet income guidelines. Applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 17, though newly turned 15-year-olds can apply if they are 15 years and 5 months to start the class. High school students aged 18 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis but must take an adult class at their own expense if they fail.
Applicants cannot already have a driver’s license, have taken a driver’s education class, or currently be enrolled in one. They must also provide documentation of financial eligibility (e.g., participation in free/reduced lunch, WIC/SNAP, or Medicaid) and submit one letter of recommendation from a non-family member.
Only fully completed applications will be considered, and decisions will be made within two weeks of submission. Selected applicants will be notified by Knox Public Health and will arrange driver’s education through one of the approved driving schools, which may require a $25 deposit at testing centers. Approved schools include Coshocton Driver Training School, Confident Driving Academy, and various locations of Driving Schools of Ohio.
Scholarship recipients must attend all classes, follow the driving school’s guidelines, and complete two surveys from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office—one before starting and another upon completion. Applications can be submitted via email, mail, or in person to Anthony Bowersock at Knox Public Health, 11660 Upper Gilchrist Rd., Mount Vernon, OH 43050. To obtain an application, visit knoxhealth.com, or contact Anthony Bowersock at abowersock@knoxhealth.com or 740-392-2200 ext. 2219 for further details.
