MOUNT VERNON — Knox Public Health announces that the Drive to Succeed Scholarship Program, funded by a $142,000 grant from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, is now open to 18– to 20-year-olds.
The program is designed to expand access to driver’s education training for income-eligible teenagers by providing scholarships for driver’s education training.
Applications are being accepted now through June 2026, or until funds are exhausted. The education course and driving hours must be completed before June 30th, 2026, to be accepted under this grant.
Starting Sept. 30, 2025, Ohioans aged 18, 19, and 20 are required to complete 50 hours of driving practice supervised by a licensed adult and take an Ohio-approved “Class D” driver training course to receive a driver’s license.
All training must be completed before scheduling a driving test with an Ohio driver’s license examiner. You can find more details at https://otso.ohio.gov/programs/ohio-driver-training/for-drivers/under-21-driver-training/under-21-driver-training.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for the Drive to Succeed Scholarship Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a student or resident in Knox County or of the surrounding counties, including Richland, Licking, Morrow, Ashland, Holmes, Coshocton, and Delaware. Homeschooled students are also eligible if they meet income guidelines.
- Be between the ages of 15 and 20. A newly turned 15-year-old can apply, but they must be at least 15 years and 6 months old to start the driving class. Please note that if someone aged 18-20 is approved for the scholarship and fails their driving class, they will be required to take an adult class at their own expense.
- Applicants cannot already have a driver’s license, have taken a driver’s education class, or currently be enrolled in one.
- Provide documentation of financial eligibility through one of the following programs:
- School reduced/free lunch
- WIC/SNAP
- Medicaid Recipient
- Submit one letter of recommendation from a non-family member, such as a teacher, coach, or school employee, highlighting the applicant’s attendance, accountability, and character.
Only fully completed applications will be considered for the scholarship. Applications will be reviewed and selections made within two weeks of submission. Knox Public Health will notify approved applicants.
Applicants can send completed applications to Mike Whitaker via email or mail them to Knox Public Health, 11660 Upper Gilchrist Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. Applicants can also drop them off at the office on Upper Gilchrist Road.
Eligible driving schools
Once selected, the student or their parent/guardian will arrange driver’s education through one of the approved driving schools. A $25 deposit may be required at testing centers.
- Coshocton Driver Training School
- Confident Driving Academy
- Driving Schools of Ohio
- Highland High School
- Licking Valley Driving School
- Mt. Gilead High School
- Mount Vernon Education Center
- Westerville Education Center
Scholarship recipients must:
- Attend all classes and follow driving school guidelines.
- Complete two surveys from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office – one before starting classes and one upon completion.
To obtain an application, visit knoxhealth.com. For questions or more information, contact Whitaker at mwhitaker@knoxhealth.com or 740-392-2200 ext. 2233.