Company Sponsored Training or Independent Schools?

Actually I didn't say that I got "all this for free", I said that I won't OWE any money for my school when I walk out the door.

Two VERY DIFFERENT things.

Here's exactly what I wrote:

"With a workforce training grant of $1500, I was looking at having to finance that balance of $4500 which was way more than the total costs of my community college course. And with the additional grants and scholarships available to community college students, I'll walk out of school with a balance owed of exactly ZERO DOLLARS."

My point is that with the workforce grants, I was able to cover the balance. Trust me, I didn't get anything "for free". Even the workforce grant wasn't "free" as I've paid taxes for more than 30 years and this is the first time I've ever gotten anything like a government grant, etc. So, I didn't get anything "for free", 'cause like you said "nothing is free."

Actually, I'm completely relaxed. You see, I don't let others cause me to get upset. That's giving them power over me and I don't give other people power over me. So, I'm perfectly serene.

You saying that me saying that a company asked for a 36-month commitment is "false", is interesting. How is it that you could possibly know what anyone told me?

For the record, I do know that there was at least one company that told me that it would take 36-months to pay them back for my school. I don't remember which company it was because that was months ago, and I quickly learned that I didn't want to go to a company school, so I no longer have the notes I took on those companies that were trying to get me to attend their company school.

You're right, MOST are 12 months, I remember a couple were 16-months and then there was that one that was 36-months.

But if you think about it and compare the per mile rate that MOST offer students graduating from their own school and the timeframe of raises in that rate to those paid by other companies for student drivers right out of independent schools, it winds up being a LOT more expensive to attend and pay back the tuition for a company school than an independent school in MOST cases. Because, not only does the student have to agree to a commitment or pay back a large tuition bill, but they're often also paid at a much lower rate for a longer period of time than other companies who take students out of independent schools.

Okay, I'm finished arguing with you on the whole company school vs independent school thing.

Best wishes for success, regardless of which way you wind up going.

 

I have decided to also persue a carreer in trucking. I decided to wait until after the holidays to prepare my kids and to get prepared myself. With my location being in Southern Utah I have decided to go the CO training route. For my location I am deciding between Swift (Pheonix) or England (Salt Lake City). Since I can't find a way to attend the local CDL School with their cost and time frame (i wouldn't be able to work a full or part time job during 6 week course) I am seeking advice or knowledge from the forum...repeat, seeking knowledge, not wisecracks...lol

 

Before you settle for a company school, I would encourage you to contact your local workforce/employment office to see what types of grants and/or other tuition assistance may be available to you that might allow you to go to an independent school or even better yet, a community college.

As far as company schools go, if you feel you must go that route, I would encourage you to do a LOT more research. There are companies with far better reputations than the two companies that you mentioned.

Do a lot of reading on this forum and other sources before committing yourself to either of those companies. Then if you walk into those situations, at least you do so with your eyes wide open.

 

You didn't address Swift, are you saying that you'd pick Swift over CR England?

I'm pretty sure that both are considered BFIs. But based on what I've read, I would put CR England ahead of Swift.

Neither would make my list, but that's just me.

 

BTW, CR England is one company that doesn't give you any tuition reimbursement until you've been with them for 3 years. And then it's just a whopping $1000, or roughly 1/3 of the cost of the school.

So, the day you enroll, unless you pay cash, you owe them $2995, which of course they'll be happy to have financed for you at 18% interest!

From their website:

Truck driving school can be paid for through one of 3 easy plans:

1. Pay in Full (Great Deal): When you pay your tuition in full with cash, check or credit card at the beginning of the course, you will receive a $1,000 discount. That comes out to a full tuition of $1,995. A $1,000 reimbursement is given to company drivers who have completed three years of driving service.

2. Financing (Base Plan): When you sign a note with Eagle Atlantic Financial Services, your $2,995 tuition will be paid at 18% interest. Through this option, $55 per week will be deducted from your paycheck, beginning four weeks from the loan date for a period of 18 weeks. At that point, a payment of $75 per week will be collected until the full note plus interest has been collected. A $1,000 reimbursement is given to company drivers who have completed three years of driving service.

3. Independent Contractor Program (Best Deal): C.R. England will pay half the program tuition of students who qualify for and enroll in the Independent Contractor Program. When you sign your truck lease contract, C.R. England will pay half of your $55 per week loan payment for up to half of your tuition as long as you remain in the Independent Contract Program or until the loan is paid off. For those who choose this option and have paid their tuition in full, C.R. England will reimburse your tuition at $27.50 per week until one half of the tuition cost has been returned, providing that you remain in the Independent Contractor Program.

 

They really are shady , aren't they ? Half the tuition for IC's paying half the financed rate ?