OH HB129

Establishes the Commercial Truck Driver Student Aid program under the Ohio Department of Higher Education, providing grants and loans to eligible students enrolled in certified commercial driver's license schools.

Eligible students must be Ohio residents, pass a drug test, have no more than three moving violations in two consecutive years, and have no DUI/drug-related convictions in the past 12 months; students must commit to reside and work in Ohio for at least one year after program completion.

Grant amount equals one-half of remaining state cost of attendance after Pell grants and expected family contribution are applied; students also receive an equal loan amount, with exceptions if program funding is insufficient or if they receive Ohio college opportunity grants.

Students accepting grants must sign promissory notes requiring repayment of the grant plus accrued interest if they fail to complete the program or meet residency and employment requirements; obligation is canceled upon program completion, death, or total permanent disability.

Appropriates $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023, with up to $2,500,000 per year allocated as grants and up to $2,500,000 per year allocated as loans.