Anyone Use The WIA Grant Program To Help Pay For CDL School?
Topic 2977 | Page 1
Hi all,
I'm in PA, hoping to get my CDL. Was wondering if anyone used WIA for tuition assistance. I started that process in Reading today and was wondering how long the process took?
After searching, I came across a comment from RedGator. She stated she went through WIA in PA. She may notice this and chime in. Im sure she wouldn't mind if you message her either. She is a busy woman I here.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Hi all,
I'm in PA, hoping to get my CDL. Was wondering if anyone used WIA for tuition assistance. I started that process in Reading today and was wondering how long the process took?
After searching, I came across a comment from RedGator. She stated she went through WIA in PA. She may notice this and chime in. Im sure she wouldn't mind if you message her either. She is a busy woman I here.
Thanks Anchorman, appreciate it. Nice pic by the way. :-)
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
It took about a month to a month and half start to finish before I was awarded the grant money. I had to take 3 seminars, provide 5 weeks of work search (which can be back dated), and take a 3 part test and score so much on each section before they move you along to your case worker. Then you have to fill out tons of paperwork. They provide you with a list of schools and you pick which you would like. WIA pays for you CDL , all your endorsement including your hazmat and background check plus they pay for any related items needed for training up to $6000 in total. You have to do a year follow up with them soley by email afterwards.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
The WIA program is a great way to get your training paid for, thus leaving you the option of signing on with any company that you want to drive for, that will give you the otr training you will need. So it is well worth jumping thru the hoops to get on the WIA program. give yourself time to get it cleared before picking a date to start school, as it takes a little time for all the paperwork to get thru. But keep stuffin' that paperwork at'em...they will eventually get tired of seein' your name and pass you.... And WELCOME to TT.....you need to get acquainted with all this site has to offer you !!! the High Road Training Program will prepare you for your cdl permit tests, AND get you way ahead of everyone else in your cdl school !!! Its not easy...but truck drivin' ain't for sissies...so dig in and start learning. And feel free to ask any questions you have...we are here to help...
Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Details
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Don't let WIA assistance be a total deciding factor. I say this for a very good reason and it may open up a lot more opportunities For ya. We always recommend that new drivers stay with their first company a year and keep their safety and driving record clean. Since you are going to be staying at your first company a year Why not let the company pay for the schooling. Most companies that have company sponsored programs require the driver to stay a year and in return pay for you schooling in full. Going this route not only can you get started sooner but in that year you get out debt free. Since you going to stay a year regardless this maybe something to consider.
I am currently in a CDL school in which W.I.A. is paying for. My experience in Northern California has been much like RedGator's posted. It saves like $5,000 and some companies like Covenant Transport will give tuition reimbursement EVEN IF WIA PAYS FOR IT! That's an extra $125 in your pocket each month you stay with Covenant even if you never paid CDL school tuition yourself!Mine took nearly 2 months to obtain but saving $5,000 and avoiding being locked into a contract with a starter company is a huge bonus in my opinion. Best of luck with your WIA funding search should you choose it.
It took about a month to a month and half start to finish before I was awarded the grant money. I had to take 3 seminars, provide 5 weeks of work search (which can be back dated), and take a 3 part test and score so much on each section before they move you along to your case worker. Then you have to fill out tons of paperwork. They provide you with a list of schools and you pick which you would like. WIA pays for you CDL, all your endorsement including your hazmat and background check plus they pay for any related items needed for training up to $6000 in total. You have to do a year follow up with them soley by email afterwards.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
I am currently in a CDL school in which W.I.A. is paying for. My experience in Northern California has been much like RedGator's posted. It saves like $5,000 and some companies like Covenant Transport will give tuition reimbursement EVEN IF WIA PAYS FOR IT! That's an extra $125 in your pocket each month you stay with Covenant even if you never paid CDL school tuition yourself!Mine took nearly 2 months to obtain but saving $5,000 and avoiding being locked into a contract with a starter company is a huge bonus in my opinion. Best of luck with your WIA funding search should you choose it.
It took about a month to a month and half start to finish before I was awarded the grant money. I had to take 3 seminars, provide 5 weeks of work search (which can be back dated), and take a 3 part test and score so much on each section before they move you along to your case worker. Then you have to fill out tons of paperwork. They provide you with a list of schools and you pick which you would like. WIA pays for you CDL, all your endorsement including your hazmat and background check plus they pay for any related items needed for training up to $6000 in total. You have to do a year follow up with them soley by email afterwards.
I dont get the part about the contract. It does not matter if you have to stay a year with a company to pay back the schooling they gave you. You will need to remain with your first Company for a year regardless of which route you go.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
The only thing I think is a disadvantage of company sponsored school is they teach you their company way as opposed to private school they are a neutral 3rd party. Also with private school they will give you more training if needed. Compamy school tends to be faster paced. In the end private school just has more options as far as companies go.
Just last week I got my CDL through Advance School of Driving in Fontana, CA using WIA funding. I could have signed on with Swift, CR England, Knight, or CRST on their 2 week to truck program, however after doing a lot of research, I decided WIA would be the way to go. Here are some of the factors that influenced my decision:
- I wanted to start off in flatbed. All of the companies running their own programs were only hiring for dry van or refrigerated. . - I wanted to choose the company I started with. - I wanted to avoid being tied to a 8 month to 1 year contract with a specific organization. If life takes me in a different direction before my first year is up, I didn't want to have to pay back the cost of tuition. - I did not want to be tied to a lower starting pay for the first year in order to pay back the school tuition.
That about sums it up.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Dry Van:
A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
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Editor's Note: See our complete guide to WIOA - Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (aka WIA)
Hi all,
I'm in PA, hoping to get my CDL. Was wondering if anyone used WIA (Workforce Investment Act) for tuition assistance. I started that process in Reading today and was wondering how long the process took?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
WIOA:
WIOA - Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (aka WIA)
Formerly known as the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), the WIOA was established in 1998 to prepare youth, adults and dislocated workers for entry and reentry into the workforce. WIOA training funds are designed to serve laid-off individuals, older youth and adults who are in need of training to enter or reenter the labor market. A lot of truck drivers get funding for their CDL training through WIOA.