New Philadelphia, OH (January 30, 2026) –Buckeye Career Center (BCC) is pleased to announce it has received grant funding totaling $87,675 to help eligible students earn a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) through the American Professional Truck Driving School by Buckeye Career Center.
The grant funding is provided through the Commercial Truck Driver Student Aid Program – administered by the Ohio Department of Higher Education. It will be awarded by BCC to students who apply and are enrolled in BCC’s Class A and Class B CDL courses at the American Professional Truck Driving School, located at 8334 SR 36 SE., Gnadenhutten, OH 44629.
This grant’s purpose is to reduce financial barriers and expand access to high-demand career opportunities in the transportation industry, according to Frank Polen, BCC’s director of curriculum, instruction, & adult education.
“We are excited to be able to offer this opportunity to both new applicants and individuals already on our waitlist,” said Polen. “This funding allows us to help more students enter the workforce while supporting the growing need for qualified commercial drivers. A recent Indeed job search indicated 65 open truck driving jobs within a 50-mile radius of Tuscarawas County, and Ohio Means Jobs shows over 3,000 CDL openings in our region. This is one of the highest in-demand careers nationwide.”
Through this program, qualifying students will receive 50% of their CDL training costs covered by grant funds, with the remaining 50% provided as a state loan. The loan portion, administered by the state of Ohio and a promissory note, will be fully forgiven if the student works as a commercial driver for at least one year after earning their CDL.
Buckeye Career Center encourages interested individuals to apply promptly, as funding is limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible students.
Class A CDL courses are scheduled to start on February 16, March 9, April 13, and May 4. Class B courses are scheduled to begin on February 2, March 30, and May 25, 2026.
In addition to the truck driving school, BCC also offers the US America CDL Test Center by Buckeye Career Center at the same location in Gnadenhutten. For more information about CDL training programs or how to apply for grant assistance, visit www.buckeyecareercenter.org/page/cdl or contact Steve Rippeth, BCC’s assistant director of Adult Education, at 330.339.2288 or srippeth@buckeyecareercenter.org.