To school, or not to school. That's my question

So I've enrolled in IITR, but the $5k tuition for one month of training is off-putting. As an option, I've learned that since I need my permit ANYWAY, that if I were to pursue the CDL on my own, I would need one year of driving experience, before being able to take my road test with DMV, as opposed to being able to take my road test immediately after I finish the school.

A quick reason why I've even posted a question like this - I have an application with my local utility company, to enroll in their hydro plant operator apprenticeship. That won't be happening for some months still, but until then, I need SOME kind of employment. So, at this point, it seems silly to me to spend $5k to take a job that will likely only be temporary anyway. So why even bother? All of my other efforts have been fruitless

The other issue I have is, despite needing to have a job yesterday, once I start school, I'm committed for that month. Plus however long it takes to do my road test, and get employment with a company

Being a bit torn about this decision I'm about to make, I'm curious to know what any of you would do, if you were in my situation