Columbus, Ohio – School districts and education agencies across Ohio are receiving a major boost aimed at protecting students on their daily trips to and from school. The Ohio Lottery announced that $10 million in Ohio School Bus Safety Grants has been awarded statewide, helping fund safety upgrades for hundreds of school buses currently in service or being purchased.
The funding was made possible through Lottery profits directed to the Lottery Profits Education Fund, which supports education-related initiatives across the state. In total, 371 schools, school districts, and county boards of developmental disabilities received grant awards, ensuring broad coverage in communities large and small.
Grants focus on safer transportation for students
Officials said the grants are designed to improve safety for Ohio students by supporting a wide range of approved upgrades. Schools may use the funding to repair, replace, or add authorized safety features on buses already in service. The grants can also be applied toward safety enhancements on newly purchased school buses, helping districts modernize fleets while keeping student safety front and center.
“The Ohio Lottery contributes funds that help support education across Ohio, and we are thrilled to see a portion of the $1.4 billion in profit directly supporting school bus safety. Ohio school children are the future of our great state and keeping them safe on their journey to and from school is important,” said Michelle Gillcrist, director of the Ohio Lottery.
State leaders emphasized that student transportation safety has been a growing focus in recent years. The grant program was created following recommendations from the Ohio School Bus Safety Working Group, which was convened by Mike DeWine. The group was tasked with reviewing all aspects of student transportation, from equipment standards to operational safety.
One key aspect of the program is its broad reach. According to officials, every school or district that applied for funding and met eligibility requirements received an award, ensuring that no qualified applicant was left out. That approach was intended to deliver immediate, real-world safety improvements rather than limit assistance to a small number of recipients.
The Ohio Lottery noted that the grants highlight how lottery profits are reinvested into communities in meaningful ways, especially when it comes to education and child safety. Additional details about the grant program, including eligibility rules and approved safety features, are available through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s Ohio School Bus Safety Grant Program webpage.
State officials said the investment represents a strong commitment to keeping Ohio students safe every day they ride the bus.
