Alright, first of all I'm new to the trucking industry. I don't have any money to pay for schooling up front so I have no choice but to go with a company sponsored trucking school. I know there are good and bad things with every school out there (interest rates for example) but like I said I have no choice. I am 25 and want to start a new career. My long term goal would be to gain a lot of experience and drive trucks in another country. Don't tell me to join the Army, been there done that. So, if you have any advice for a newcomer PLEASE help me out! Out of all the schools out there, what would be the best (or most bearable)? Thanks in advance.
As far as training companies....probably millis would work for you...i think you have a little upfront cost...100 or 500 can't remember. I think they are in kennesaw. Another option would be great southern driving academy in tunnel hill. They do offer financing but you have to come up with $1000 down and then they do $150 month payroll deduction. Also might want to check into the state schools...you might be able to financing or get uncle sam to pay for it if you are currently unemployed. Good luck to you and i wish you all the best.
Find Ruberducky. He's been hanging out on the May trucking forums. He is currently in the North Ga tech. school. I know they have a decient rep. But he can tell you how he is doing. I am currently doing the school at Chattahoochee Tech. At their N. Metro Campus in Acworth, Ga. It's kind of fast paced. If you choose CTC; I would geta DDS CDL manual ahead of time and study the heck out of it a couple of weeks b4 class. CTC costs around 1500 plus 100 for books plus DDS fees.
I jumped the gun and missed the no money part. But N. ga. tech is fairly close to you and maybe you can get a grant.
Look up Swift. The only money you will need upfront is to get your permit and pay for your food. They will finance, interest free, the school and even the hotel if they put you up. Then if you hire on with them they will deduct a certain amount weekly from your paycheck. They also have a reimbursement program. It is all on their site. Good Luck!
I literally have $190 in my pocket, so I'm thinking of just going with a company sponsored program. I know the interest rates are EXTREMELY high but I may have no choice. My plan was to get through a trucking school and while working apply more money towards the principal of the loan to pay it off quickly. I currently have no monetary obligations (just dumped the girlfriend) so I should be able to pay it off quickly. Does anyone know if they actually give you your CDL after training is complete, or do they find some way to hang on to it so you don't leave. I ask because if things do not work out with the employer, will I be able to leave and work for another company? Thanks.
I just looked at millis' website....it's $500.00 upfront...so that wouldn't work for ya. You could look at that driver solutions website too.....they use 3 or 4 companies as well....and as the others said, swift is always an option. Just check around and get the best deal you can....there are tons of info on here...just takes a few hours of digging to go through it all.
Actually, there are ways to have your training paid for instead of commiting to a company reimbursement program(which you may not want to do, unless you've found a company that you know you're gonna stick it out with). I would go to your local Career Center (employment office) and ask about something similar to the WIA program we have here in AL (they base qualification on income, or lack of) and if you've been in the military then you definitely could go for free with Veterens benefits(also through the employment office). I, too, had to get creative about financial aid because I didn't want to be beholden to a carrier from get-go. Also, if you find a school that is state-sponsored, they have a wealth of information regarding grants and scholarships available to you for job-training(which is what we're doing), and usually their fees are significantly lower than private CDL schools. It pays to do your homework and research your options before jumping in. I'm sure GA has similar options as AL. Check it out! PS...just read your last post about what your obligation would be if it doesn't work out with the company that pays for your training---from what I've read on here, it usually doesn't work out with them and you still owe them the money(like you said, extremely high interest). Hope it works out for you and good luck with everything!!!
