which way is cheaper or will financial aid be free

Should check into a grant or something like that. I think my loan was 0 interest for one year. That's always a good way. Cash is always best if they add interest or a penalty. I think a grant is free. Don't cost a dime.

 

talk to their financial aid department.

Anything on Credit is going to cost you money.

 

Most truck driving schools will try to hook you up (coerce you to go) with certain companies they get kick backs from. Then that company will want you to sign a work contract for 6 months-2 years to pay the school back. Those deals are kind of dangerous if you don't make squat or don't like the company which happens a lot. Then you quit and get billed the full amount.

You would be better off finding a community college with truck driver training and their financial aid department can hook you up with several gov't loans. That way you get better training and aren't committed to anyone. I already checked FAFSA and Roadmaster is not on the list of qualified institutions. The Roadmaster website said there are scholarships available. You need to call their financial aid department and find out your options. I would avoid an employment commitment if you can help it.

 

"financial aid department can hook you up with several gov't loans."

Why do you assume that federal aid (FAFSA) is "cheaper" or a better route? Lets examine what's happening here: Truck Driving Schools who now offer FAFSA charge between 6000 - 12,000, but before FAFSA was the "thing" the national average for CDL training according to the FMCSA was $4,000. FAFSA makes it more expensive and when you look at the real numbers the average Pell Grant award is $2500-3000 meaning you will hold 6-8,000 in student loans THAT HAVE INTEREST. Those who default have a much higher interest and fees that no one even talks about. Mind you these are loans that you will hold for 5-10 years!

When did it become ethical to charge 8000-12,000 for truck driving school??? Now there are bad non-FAFSA options but to discount the fact that there is a lot of great programs out there is foolish.

Student Loans just passed 1 trillion in debt threshold (about and/or more than credit card debt) nationwide and defaults are happening, A LOT!

"Those deals are kind of dangerous if you don't make squat or don't like the company which happens a lot. Then you quit and get billed the full amount."

So if you don't make squat and/or like the company you get billed for the full amount ($4,000 - $6000); however, if the same happens you still owe uncle Sam the 6-8000 student loan!

 

Sorry, here are the numbers for those who want proof of cost while going the FAFSA route:

http://www.ait-schools.com/Institutional Information.pdf
http://www.tdds.edu/TDDS-disclosure.pdf
http://dda.edu/disclosure/
http://www.hamrickschool.edu/Disclosure600TruckDriverTrainingProgram.pdf


Unfair to the private school, community colleges don't have to disclose this stuff. My case and point, FAFSA is the next bubble coming!

 

I think it's a crock that anyone should have to go to a "school" at all for it. But thank the insurance and education industry on that.

I'd like to see the hard REAL facts that a school trained driver is any better at their job.

You can learn to drive just as easily by a company having a company paid driver sit and watch you in an open 40 acre field as you can going to a tech school.


IF you can have the fortitude to finish that magic year with a company, then go for a company school....

But be prepared to get screwed that way too.

I told a few different recruiters, swift AND prime as well, to pound sand when they told me I HAD to go to a refresher course to get back into a truck.

 

I would look up Mid Florida Techs CDL A program in Orlando, government run, 320 hrs/2 months. The instructors are great.

Around $2,100, which isn't bad, considering roadmasters is 5k?

 

IMO if you can pay do it stay away from debt. Stick to the pay as you go way of life. Also go through a community college, stay away from the private schools. They have an agenda and you are not it. Next if you can take your time do your research and make an informed decision.

 

That is untrue and surprising from site staff.

If you are talking about contract schools like CR Englands then yes, but they are not schools per se, they are truck driving companies that run cdl mills.

Thats not what the OP is talking about. He is talking about Roadmaster. When you graduate from Roadmaster, you own your CDL and more importantly you have a diploma from your school.

No company can make you sign a contract....youve already paid for your training, how can they make you sign a contract if you dont owe them anything.

The only way a company can make you sign a contract is if you owe them money. Students leaving Roadmaster dont owe the trucking companies a penny....so how can they demand a student sign a contract?

Also, Roadmaster doesnt get a penny from kickbacks from carriers. They have relationships with certain carriers that they trust and that take the lions share of their students, but the student walks out the door and can go to work for any company that will hire a student driver.

That being said, with bigger schools like TDI and Roadmaster, just pay cash. It will cost you less and save a ton of interest charges.