College Truck Driving Program

OTR is probably gonna be your only option at first, and yes there are plenty of companies that start out at more then .26 cents a mile. As for a "Best" company I've never heard of a company that hires students ever said to be the "best".

Now for some suggestions Check out May Transportation and Millis. You didn't say where you live or what your looking to pull so that info could get you some better suggestions.

American Trucker

 

while you are at the school you will be visited by recruters that hire from that school for companies. they will give you a pitch on how great their company is.
what you need to do is research on each of the companies. and weigh your options.
also be sure to ask the right questions. and if they tell you something that sounds to good to be true, ask for it in writing before you get hired on.
this way they must follow what they said. but, sometimes they may not, and could state the recruter is no longer with them.
but a company that tells you what they have in writing and follows it is good.
remember to take notes when they talk about their company and then research and then you can make the right choice that will fit your needs.
i went to 3 of the companies headquarters to check them out before i made my choice when i graduated.
good luck to you.

 

Getting a grant for school and getting the license on your own is the way to go.
Many company's like the Community college schools because they teach you allot more than the company sponsored cdl mills will.
Also if you go to school on your own then you will not need to sign a contract with any company. Just go out with one of there trainers for whatever time that company uses and get paid for that time.
He gave you a few of the better starter company's already. If they are not hiring in your area or at that time you will need to go to another choice.
But you will have a leg up on all the other new drivers in the ranks of the company you go too. They will have a contract, you will not. They will be paying for school out of that .26-.29 cpm you will not.

Just do not go to any company that forces you to team. Going out with a trainer is one thing. You do not want to be in a forced team. After your trainer go solo.