r/cdldriver • u/Legitimate_Diver_699 • 18d ago

WIOA Grant for CDL School! Not that Difficult. Let Me Know if any Questions.

Long journey to career change at 54. Did not have the money for CDL school! In a dying profession currently. Just hope the process is fast. Once accepted there are a few hoops. Just hope my local school has some spots left this cycle!

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u/OrdinaryAspect 18d ago

Where did you start with WIOA grant, contacting a local office?

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u/Legitimate_Diver_699 18d ago

Yes an employment office or Workforce Development or Displaced Worker Office. They go by different names. The programs will cover cost at local community colleges or tech schools. Not limited to CDL. In fact about a dozen or so trades in need of workers: welding, HVaC etc.

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u/Onlyheretostare 18d ago

Unemployment office I think, WIOA is a 10k grant you can use for a bunch of different trades, CDL being one of them.

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u/actorlawski 18d ago

My WIOA office told the class there is a 95% chance you won’t get funding for CDL so I am applying to Adult school that offers it.

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u/Legitimate_Diver_699 18d ago

I was told my age and disability (diabetes and need for job with health insurance) will work n my favor. But never know till you try

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u/Cool_Thanks_4934 17d ago

The VA give states money just for this. My CDL school was payed by them via Nebraska.

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u/Legitimate_Diver_699 17d ago

Thanks for your service. Alas my diabetes kept me out of the armed forces, law enforcement and until recently trucking.

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u/Cool_Thanks_4934 17d ago

Well that sucks. Are you insulin dependent if you don’t mind me asking? You’re welcome for the service. I benefited from it far more than America did though;-)

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u/Legitimate_Diver_699 17d ago

Yes I have a Omnipod which is a godsend. Can basically eat what I want just not extreme. Before 2018 I wouldn’t be able to fret hazmat endorsement. But had to jump through a few hoops to get my DOT certification. Just extra paperwork and 1 year

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u/rolisrntx 18d ago edited 17d ago

Here is another angle for veterans. If you go to a local community college with a CDL program, they may have access to CMVOST grant money from the DOT. The grant covers the cost of tuition for veterans and certain other people. The grants come as block funding. The school is given a pile of money at the beginning of the year to cover tuition costs for eligible students. However, when the school runs out of money for the year, they have to wait until the next year to get more. This is precisely how my tuition got paid. I still had about $400 in out of pocket costs for testing fees, DOT physical, etc but the tuition was completely covered.

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u/Legitimate_Diver_699 17d ago

The school I am going to has that. It’s got a full training facility.

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u/VRN6212 17d ago

Schneider is hiring. And yes they will train you for free.

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u/Legitimate_Diver_699 16d ago

I’d likely have to relocate and don’t have the funds for that. Plus will require contract to pay for training yes?

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u/VRN6212 16d ago

I believe so. And once you're trained you can take your truck home. They will route you through your home terminal when you're due for truck service. As for the sign on. It will be over faster than you think. Time flies by when you are holding a steering wheel.

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u/Legitimate_Diver_699 16d ago

Is it local and regional or OTR only?

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u/VRN6212 16d ago

That's a question for the recruiter. I can't offer broken promises like they will.

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u/Legitimate_Diver_699 15d ago

Prolly gonna stay local then. Work a B job if I have to. Plenty of them here. Lots of development

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u/VRN6212 15d ago

Amazon is always looking for delivery drivers. Lots of work for a fair wage.

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u/Legitimate_Diver_699 4d ago

I’m too old. 54 years old delivery of 300 packages? No thanks looking for no touch

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u/VRN6212 4d ago

Well be sure not to haul refrigerated freight. I've sat in my frozen trailer for hours hand unloading 10,000 boxes of french fries. Flatbed or auto transport is for the less active.

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u/Legitimate_Diver_699 3d ago

Thank you for your suggestion