Has anyone used WIA funding for school?

I'm still waiting, I applied Sept. 3rd. There are guys that applied a month after me and are already in school. I think it has something to do with the case manager. ( on the ball or a dud ) Mine is the latter I think.

Didn't realize how old this was.

 

I talked to the WorkForce Center today about applying for WIA funds in my area. When I told the rep that my current job was in architecture and I was self-employed (not eligible for unemployment benefits) she said I wouldn't qualify because my job was 'in demand'. I asked "you're kidding, right? The housing market is the bane of this recession, and our state leads the nation in foreclosures and no-start construction!". The reply was "well, the funds are limited, and CDL courses are very expensive!"
Yea, so?? I already know that, lady, or I wouldn't be looking for assistance!
My next step was to contact the school I'm interested in directly, to see if they could offer any advice. The rep was friendly, helpful, and understanding (of course, they want the $), but even she admitted that they've only seen one WIA 'claim' come through their enrollment office in the last 12 months, and it only paid 25% of the tuition. She gave me some more names at WorkForce to contact, but that was about it.
The part that really sucks is that I am a small business owner, and as such I don't qualify for unemployment. But, as said business owner, I've paid into the 'unemployment coffer', and now am not able to apply for assistance for myself. I guess the next step will be to look at companies that offer tuition assistance if you come work for them, but I'd much rather obtain my CDL independently and have more say in where I end up working. Last option would be to pay the course fee outright, but I'd rather not start my new career in the hole.
Oh well, I'll keep tryin'.

 

We live in Northern Colorado. I worked selling data to the mortgage backed securities trading desks on wall street and my wife was a accounts payable/receivable clerk in the movie industry. she is on unemployment but I took a job that was 100% commission that did not work out so I lost mine. We did a lot of research and had a lot of information ready when we went in to the workforce center. They tried over and over again to tell us we did not qualify (for many reasons) but we had all of our research ready and did not take no for an answer. Most CDL schools are 5k to 6k and WIA only pays $3500. We got approved in about three weeks and started school a week later. We first contacted Sage but it was a 60 mile drive each way for us and gas money is tight. We did get Sage to agree to do the class for the $3500 which included the permit and license fee. We then found United States Truck Driving School had reopened their location in Longmont CO which was less than 20 miles from our home and that they were also an approved company with the WIA program. We met with the recruiter and he agreed to match Sage's offer. We just completed the course and got our CDL's and leave today for orientation at US Xpress to drive team. VERY happy with the school but all six people in our class had tried to get WIA money and we were the only ones who were successful.

 

How are things going for you? Are you attending a CDL school yet?

 

I am, just started today! Looking foward to gettin' it goin'...

The WIA thing seems to be working out so far. Still have to provide some financial information to the school, as I don't qualify as the typical 'unemployed' applicant. Regardless, it's forward motion and I'm grateful.

 

Congratulations! Where will you be attending school? Please keep us posted on how things go for you.

 

Update: We finished orientation with US Xpress and are headed out with our trainers. Life is good.

 

I heard you can't use WIA if you have a bachelors degree...How would they know?

 

I am pretty sure that is not true. You have to complete any training in two years or less and we were told that means you can get a Masters degree. I think you just have to show that your BA degree is in a field that has very few opportunities and will not help you find a job. That is the issue.

 

I just got approved yesterday for my W.I.A, I started the whole process in the middle of November. There where alot of appointments and I would have to bring a job log everytime I went. I guess they try to weed out all the people that really dont want to go to school. I live in northeast Ohio so there is alot of people trying to go to school hell theres alot of people unemployed right now. Good luck with your schooling I start mine Jan 31.