Returning to trucking

I am a 54yr old male trying to return to trucking after being out almost 3 yrs due to personal and family health issues.

I live in Missouri near St. Louis. Here's my "dilemma". The companies I have talked to have 99% said go back to school, not a refresher but the full program. I don't need that I haven't forgotten how to drive a truck anymore than they have forgotten how to ride a bike.

However if that's what it takes that's what it takes. I'm trying to do what a MAN(as opposed to a biologically adult male, there's a big difference between the two)is supposed to do and that is take care of business in helping to support his family.

The problrm is that regardless of whether I take out a loan to go to school, or if I sign on to a company sponsored program with a years commitment and gt sick/injured or otherwise DOT disqualified, I'm still on the hook for the balance. I can't afford that my sole source of income now and would be then is my Social Security Disability Benefit. I really affraid that if roll the dice they're going to come up snake eyes or box cars or whatever that losing roll is.

So me question to you all is this: Are there any grants or scholarships available for truck driving school? Additional important information. MO Vocational Rehabilitation, MO WIA, VA Disability and my GI bill are all out of the picture. They have either said I don't qualify or flat no or the time limit has expired etc.

Any informaton you can give me, whether positive or negative will be appreciated.

Thanks again
Rev. Ken

 

I have applied to or spoken to recruiters at more companies than I care to count. Swift, USA, Star(not hiring out of MO),Roehl, Stevens, working on Schneider, TMC, Freymiller and that's just a few. Thanks for the response.
If you have any information for me It will be greatly appreciated.

 

Yeah they did but it was an over the phone with a recruiter. I had an accident in a truck Mar. 07. No injuries, not tickets no drug screen not on my MO driving record not on my DAC driving record but it is on my DAC employment history. It's the only black mark.
As for CRE, I'm not that desperate yet and will probably give up on trucking before I work for either them or Stevens. Stevens lied to me and I don't like being lied to by anybody.
Thanks for the come back. I appreciate it, feel free to do it again.

 

I never thought about my local unemployment bureau. I'll look into it.
Thanks for the feed back, I appreciate it. Feel free to do it again any time.