Hazlewood Act For Trucking Tuition

Hey fellas, as we speak Im working on getting myself together to venture into the trucking business. Ive been reading different blogs and videos on how people got started cost wise with getting into trucking. My question being a veteran is can I use my hazlewood act exemption to pay for the tuition as I know it would only pay that and not the other fees associated? If so, anybody familiar with schools in the east tx area (Nacogdoches, Lufkin, etc.)

I used my post 9/11 GI Bill. It fully covered school. I also received my book stipend and housing allowance.

I know the Hazelwood Act is for Texas residents only. You must of been a resident of Texas at the time of your enlistment. I wish I could help with the school, but I am unfamiliar as I have never lived in Texas.

There's Career Trucking school in Tyler, but unfortunately they don't offer ANY type of financial assistance. That being said, Tyler Junior College West Campus offers a CDL program that lasts 2 months. Since TJC is a state institution, you may be able to cover it with the Hazelwood Act.

If you're close enough, go to TJC and talk to Mike on the 3rd floor of the Rodger's (Roger's?) student center. He's the VA rep there and VERY helpful. I've spoke with him on MANY occasions.

Another option may be to look at TSTC in Marshall, if that would be closer for you. I believe that they also have a CDL program.

If those aren't an option for you, you could also consider a company spnsored/paid program. Several companies offer an apprenticeship program that would allow you to draw GI Bill benefits (if you have any available) for a bit of extra money in your pocket during the course of the program. I doubt you would be able to use Hazelwood since that is only for state funded institutions.

As a side note, if you have ANY other VA education benefits remaining, you will not be able to use Hazlewood until those are exhausted.

Hey Yamu, I missed this the other day. I actually live in Nacogdoches too!

I went to the Lufkin Truck Driving School. You should definitely take a look at them, they are close by and they do a great job. I'm not sure if they can help you sort out the VA financing or not, but they do a great job with job placement there. You should definitely ask them if they know anything about the VA stuff, it is possible that they may know what direction to point you in.

Remember one thing about this whole process, and that is that you will not necessarily be an accomplished truck driver after attending school. In fact you will just barely have your feet wet. The whole process starts with schooling, which basically just helps you gain the limited skills needed to pass your CDL driving exam. After that the company that trains you will then pair you with a trainer for about a month or more and even after you start driving as a new solo driver you are going to feel a bit inadequate for the task. It takes a good year behind the wheel to begin to get your feet under you at this career.

Great news!!! I called down to Panola College in Carthage, TX and was told they ACCEPT the Hazlewood Exemption! That was music to my ears, now the next phase is that I get the money needed to take care of this other issue. I had a DUI in California back in '14 while I was in service (stupid I know) and I was able to get a packet which would waive my right to drive in CA for some years in exchange to have a hold taken off my TX license. I've since added a SR-22 to meet the Cali requirements and now just have to pay a failure to appear of $2500 then I can get all this dropped and FINALLY enroll in CDL school.

Yamu! wrote:

Great news!!! I called down to Panola College in Carthage, TX and was told they ACCEPT the Hazlewood Exemption! That was music to my ears, now the next phase is that I get the money needed to take care of this other issue. I had a DUI in California back in '14 while I was in service (stupid I know) and I was able to get a packet which would waive my right to drive in CA for some years in exchange to have a hold taken off my TX license. I've since added a SR-22 to meet the Cali requirements and now just have to pay a failure to appear of $2500 then I can get all this dropped and FINALLY enroll in CDL school.

Okay,...that's new information. You might want to put the brakes on for a bit and make sure you will have a job lined up after graduation. Trucking companies are risk averse, your DUI presents a risk not all of them will be willing to accept. Of those that accept a prior DUI, three years is typically the minimum amount of time from when the offense occurred. And as far as any deals you cut, doesn't matter, it's on your driving record (MVR) and that's what is important to the trucking companies to pre-qualify student driver candidates.

I suggest getting some pre-hires lined up before committing to the school. What could happen is you'll have trouble getting hired once you graduate that could protract out beyond several months. If it goes too long, you may need to repeat school. Have some opportunities lined up first. Here are the pre-hire letter links:

• Article: Understanding Pre-Hire Letters: The What, Why, And How Of This Important Step
• Trucker's Wiki: "Pre-Hire Letters"
• Forum Topics Tagged "CDL Pre-Hire Letters"

You also might want to take a look at this link to determine specific DUI policy for many of the carriers who employ entry level drivers. Trucking Company Reviews

While you are going through this...protect your license. Good luck.

Thanks G-Town I definitely will! Im saving to pay off the fines and I've read a few of the companies that have anywhere from a 3-5 yr cooling period if you have a DUI so I know I got some work ahead of myself.