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Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
Before applying, review the TechCred eligibility requirements.
Eligibility Requirements
- Businesses may apply for up to $30,000 per funding round.
- Funding is available for up to $1,000 per credential per employee.
- Businesses of all sizes and industry sectors are eligible.
- Public entities, including but not limited to, state agencies, local governments, political subdivisions, libraries, and public secondary and postsecondary educational institutions are not eligible to receive TechCred reimbursement.
- Funding must be used within 12 months of approval.
- Participating employees must be Ohio residents with a verifiable address.
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Step 2: Create Required State Accounts
Before submitting a TechCred application, your organization must create two accounts with the state of Ohio.
Account 1: Create a TechCred Account
- Visit the during an application period and click Apply.
- Select Create a New Account.
- Follow the prompts to complete the registration process.
Tip
The person responsible for submitting applications and monitoring deadlines should create the account. This ensures the primary administrator receives approval notifications and reminders.
This role is typically handled by someone in Human Resources, Finance, or Workforce Development.
You will need your company’s tax ID number during the registration process.
Account 2: Apply for a State Supplier (Payee) ID
Before submitting a TechCred application, your organization must also have a State of Ohio Supplier (Payee) ID number.
If your company does not already have one:
- Follow the prompt provided during the TechCred account setup.
- Submit the application for a State Supplier ID.
This ID allows the State of Ohio to process reimbursement payments.
Confirmation
Once the registration process is complete, you should receive a confirmation email from TechCred verifying your account.
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Step 3: Apply for TechCred Funding
Once your accounts are established, you can apply for funding during an open TechCred application period.
Submit Your Application
- Log in to your Ohio ID account:
- Select Apply Online during the open funding round.
- Choose the appropriate credential.
- Select the credential and number of employees you wish to enroll.
Funding Limits
Each application may include:
- Up to $1,000 per employee per credential
- Up to $30,000 per funding round
After submitting your application, you will receive an email confirmation from TechCred.
- Log in to your Ohio ID account:
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Application Tips When Submitting Credentials
Use the following guidance when completing the TechCred application.
Training Provider
Select ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì University as the training provider.
Program Costs
Actual training costs may include:
- Tuition
- Fees
- Books
The TechCred reimbursement covers up to $1,000 per credential per participant.
Typical ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì tuition rates for the 2026–2027 academic year:
Kent Campus
- $399.13 per undergraduate credit
- $75.17 general course fee per semester
Regional Campuses
- $250.14 per undergraduate credit
- $18.16 general course fee per semester
Most university courses are three credit hours, but be sure to verify course details before registering.
Wage Information
The application will ask you to estimate:
- Employee wages before credential completion
- Employee wages after credential completion
This helps demonstrate workforce impact, but a wage increase is not required.
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Step 4: Accept Your TechCred Grant
If your application is approved, the administrator listed on your TechCred account will receive an approval email notification.
Accept the Grant
- Log in to your TechCred account.
- Accept the grant within 10 business days.
Grant Timeline
- The effective date may begin before approval to allow retroactive reimbursement.
- Funding remains active for 12 months after acceptance.
Status Reporting
Employers must submit status reports every four months throughout the grant period.
Setting calendar reminders is strongly recommended.
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Step 5: Submit Required Status Reports
A Status Report, located within the application, must be submitted for all approved credentials every four months from the Effective Date of the Grant Agreement, or at the time of submitting a reimbursement request, whichever occurs first. The Status Report must indicate whether each credential is:
- In process
- Not started but will be completed by the project completion date
- Completed but not yet submitted for reimbursement
- Completed and submitted for reimbursement or reimbursed
- Canceled
Failure to submit required status reports will result in the Grantee being considered in default of the Agreement, and grant funds may be reduced.
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Step 6: Request Tuition Reimbursement
Once employees complete their credential programs, employers may submit a reimbursement request through the TechCred portal.
Submit a Reimbursement Request
To request reimbursement, employers that have an executed grant agreement must submit the required information (below) through the Reimbursement Request portal, accessible within their application at . All documentation must be compiled and submitted as a single PDF file.
Add Employee Information
For each participant:
- Name (first and last)
- Email (optional)
- Last 4 Digits of Social Security Number
- Date of Birth
- County of Residence
- Wage Prior to Credential
- Wage After Credential is Earned
- Race (optional)
- Gender (optional)
- Employee Hire Date
- Employee Final Date of Employment
- W4 and IT4 Verification
- Date Credential Earned
Upload Required Documentation
Credential Documentation:
- Proof that the individual has completed the specified credential, such as a copy of the certificate or certification. The credential name must match the one that was approved in your application.
Cost Documentation:
- An itemized invoice which clearly identifies the per-person cost of the credential.
- Proof of payment — which may include either a cleared check, a credit card statement, or a bank statement. The document must identify the training provider, the amount paid and the date paid, and must clearly show that the payor is the TechCred Grantee. A purchase order, receipt, requisition, or an invoice with a $0.00 balance does not qualify as proof of payment.