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Drive to Succeed Scholarship Program

NOTE: As of 10/13/2026, the Ohio Traffic Safety Office has waived the completion of the Parent Orientation for Beginning Drivers course accessed via OHID in the Ohio Learn application. Please submit your application without the Parent Orientation Certificate.

Drive to Succeed Scholarship Program

Drive to Succeed is a state grant program of the Department of Public Safety’s Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) aiming to expand access to teen and young adult driver training (those that are 15 1/2 – 20 years old). The Midwest Regional ESC Drive to Succeed Scholarship Program is working with 16 Educational Service Centers covering 25 counties.

The Midwest Regional ESC has been awarded a grant to fund scholarships for qualifying students and young adults to access and complete driver education. Ohio residents aged 15 1/2 to 20 years old that qualify for SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, Summer EBT and Ward of the State are eligible to apply for a scholarship.

Questions: Contact us at drivetosucceed@fairfieldesc.org and a team member will get back to you as soon as possible.

Eligibility Requirements

  1. Ohio Resident

  2. Student Driver must be between 15 1/2 to 20 years old

  3. Posses a valid Ohio Temporary Permit

  4. Meet one of the following eligibility requirements: NEW 7/1/2026

    1. SNAP within the last 12 months

    2. WIC within the last 12 months

    3. Medicaid within the last 12 months

    4. Summer EBT within the last 12 months

    5. Ward of the State

      –> The documentation MUST include the student drivers name, dated within the last 12 months and be the documentation provided by your county JFS. PICTURES OF SNAP, WIC, MEDICAID OR SUMMER EBT CARDS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.

  5. If student driver is under 18, parents must complete ODPS/OTSO’s online Parent Orientation and submit completion transcript.

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Step-by-Step Application Process

  1. Check eligibility requirements:

    • SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, Summer EBT and/or Ward of the State

       

    • 15 1/2 to 20 years old

    • Ohio Resident

    • Valid Ohio Temporary Permit – MUST be an Ohio Permit!

  2. Complete and Submit the Scholarship Application (see below).

    1. Upload: Temporary Learners Permit (valid)

    2. Upload: SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, Summer EBT or Ward of the State Eligibility Documentation – MUST include a date of eligibility within the last 12 months. A card alone is not sufficient without a date of eligibility.

       

    3. Upload: Parent Orientation Completion Transcript. Click HERE for step-by-step directions to complete the parent orientation training. TEMPORARILY WAIVED

    4. Wait notification of scholarship determination (award or not-awarded). Note: Failure to submit ALL required items will result in a determination of Not Eligible. However, you may reapply once you have all required items.

  3. Receive a Scholarship Voucher for use with an ODPS-approved Drivers Education School (Click HERE for the approved list). Complete pre-program survey.

  4. Complete the driver’s training courses within the required timelines.

  5. Submit completion certificates.

  6. Complete the post-program survey.

  7. Schedule to take the Drivers Exam