The Commercial Transportation Training Center at Clark State Community College is now accepting applications for the OhioMeansJobs Workforce Development Revolving Loans. The loans are available to eligible new students entering the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Program.

The Ohio Department of Higher Education awarded $99,000 to the Clark State CDL program last fall. “This will allow students who are not eligible for grants or other loans the opportunity to apply for a loan for CDL training,” said Tom Hicswa, Jr., director of the Commercial Transportation Training Center at Clark State. “This, in turn, will help get them to work in a high demand field in a five-week period.”

The Ohio Department of Higher Education explains that the purpose of the loan program is to promote and encourage Ohio’s workforce development and job growth through educational training and retraining in programs related to employment opportunities in growing fields.

Students eligible for the loan must be a resident of Ohio and be accepted into the CDL program.

Hicswa said students will apply on the revolving loan website once they receive login and password information following an initial meeting about the program. “The entire process for the loan should take no more than four or five weeks,” he said. “After I’ve been notified, the funds will be applied immediately so the student can start the next available class.”

Hicswa said the loans present a good opportunity to help people who otherwise could not afford CDL training. “It benefits the individual to improve their career and lifestyle, and it benefits employers who need drivers.”

To learn more about Clark State’s CDL program and the Workforce Development Revolving Loan, contact Tom Hicswa at 937-328-6054.