Anyone Use The WIA Grant Program To Help Pay For CDL School?

I went with WIA here in Colorado Springs CO through the workforce center it took me less then 2 weeks to get the grant. I had paperwork at the wazoo and they were pretty stringent on being at the required workshops and appointments but was overall easy and my caseworker is great to work with.

I too went through the WIA program in Colorado but mine wasn't quite as efficient as Dustyn's, however, once it was approved, I attended my private school of choice. While it's prudent to make every effort under the sun to stay with your first company for the first year, thereby making a decision to be trained by that company seemingly simple, mine did not quite work out. I tried my very best with them but it wasn't a good match and therefore, in my case, getting the grant from WIA and having already obtained my CDL independently, worked in my favor.

Good Luck to you.

-mountain girl

Can anyone sign up for the WIA program, what are the requirements?

Can anyone sign up for the WIA program, what are the requirements?

No. It's not for everyone ...and I'm not sure if the eligibility requirements are clearly spelled out anywhere. Just call them. You can talk with a case worker who will give you a brief interview over the phone to determine if it's something you might be eligible for.

Here's a ton of information for you from our wiki on The WIA Program.

I am going with the WIA program in my county. They offer $4,000 in tuition and $1,000 in fees and it's about 72 page packet that must be filled out. They want a lot of information, but it's just government hoops to get you the help you want/need. I thought I had to be on unemployment to get this going. Instead I could have gone with it due to my income. Basically the paperwork is there to weed out the people that has no real interest in making it happen. For me, I want my license to stay in NJ and in order to make that happen I have to go with a driving school in NJ. What I understand it's WIA or I pay out of pocket.

Anyway, I did everything on my part now it's basically hurry up and wait for me. I have to meet with the finance verification people on the 26th where they verify that I don't make anywhere near the min income for employed people, or if I am receiving unemployment/worker's compensation and what if any dependents I have. I know I meet the income levels, that and the fact I collect partial unemployment for the summer. The last two weeks of August will be the full benefit considering all programs end.

Anyway, hopefully all goes as planned and I am able to start school on July 6th and hopefully be ready for my exam sometime in August. I seriously, can't wait to get behind the wheel of a big rig as I am ready for this!

On the flip side is if you CAN afford it, go get your CLASS A permit NOW, start taking the tests studying up because the schools may offer you more incentives, if you can skip a lot of the classroom instruction. The school I am going to be choosing is offering me some extra perks because I have the permit and the endorsements passed. I only have one endorsement left to pass and that's HazMat I am studying like crazy to take the test this Tuesday. I already have a CDL-B with Passenger, School Bus & Air Brakes. On my permit I have Combination Vehicle (CLASS A), Doubles/Triples, Tanker and HAZMAT.

I am one of those gun-ho get it done type of guys. I see the goal and I just do whatever it takes to complete it. I am not waiting for anyone just keep me busy until the goal is completed.

Well that is weird because in Michigan I can only get approved for $2000, although this number wasn't was said to me the first time as that was $2500. The tests I had to take were for reading and two different math tests nothing overly complex really. The reading one I just read the questions and looked in the article for where it was mentioned, but even the articles were not all that long of a read. There are loans out there that I could apply for since I live in a rural area as well that have a low interest rate and do not have to be paid back for 10 years, this might be another avenue you might want to look into in your state as well.

For me if all else fails I will be in contact with Prime or Swift to get into their school programs, not that these are bad routes at all to take provided your state will except a transfer license.