[okie]

I have seen this topic before and nobody offered anything worthwhile but thought I would try again. I do not want to go company paid, way to many horror stories. I tried the WIA route this week, I was shut down before even getting started. It appears that if you have an income you do not qualify. It was explained to me that I was at the appropriate " :shock: poverty level :shock: " income to qualify. However, the mere fact that I have an income DQ'ed my attempt. Perhaps I can give DHS a try. The WIA lady suggested I could choose a company paid training, but why be on the hook for $6000-$7000 when all I need to go to Central Tech is under $2000 in-state. I am pretty sure all the Student Grants and Loans are out of reach, due to a few years of bad/low pay back of college loans. Due to unemployment and underemployment several years back. Anybody have any suggestions?

[Zonian]

I am assuming that you are a resident of the state of Oklahoma and if that is the case, you can qualify for free training with a number of OK based carriers, certainly with my company (Arrow Trucking).

The deal is, you supply the money for your room and board (1 months rent in the town with the school is about $400) and the trucking company does the full DOT background check. You are more or less obligated to stay with us one year before we will issue you your diploma.

If you have any questions, you can PM me your email and I will email you an app, etc. Good Luck.

[okie]

Should I move this to a more active forum?

[okie]

Many have suggested on PM to bite the "training company" bullet, and just put in the year. I do not want to do that. To many horror stories on this and other boards. I had a heart to heart with the wife about using a portion of our tax refund next spring to pay for CDL school, she is on board and supportive. However, with the transmission going out last week in the van... that plan is all but shot to hell. I live in proximity to Central Tech and that is where I want to go. My parents live 30-45 minutes from there so I can commute. Their has to be some government program out there. My job does not really allow for a 2nd job, with swing shift and rotating days off. I said this a year ago, "maybe next year." Looks like I am going to have to say it again, as the tow truck comes to get the van today.

[Jawila]

I know the struggle for money. Keep positive and persist, and a way will open up to you.
I was trying to start a business this last summer, and then worked just a few months after that. In those three months I worked I almost made too much money to qualify for WIA voucher! You have to be destitute to qualify.

Can you get a credit card? Credit cards are okay if you are disciplined. Used wisely, they can actually improve your credit score.

All the best.

[syl77dar]

goodluck

[okie]

I prefer to stay with Central Tech for training. They are PTDI certified and the 2 companies I short list require that. As for credit cards, we paid them off and cut them up. My wife was layed off from WorldCom 3 years ago after 12 years service. We used her severance to pay credit card and car off so she could be a stay at home mom.

[Jawila]

Cool. I know most people, including myself, do not like credit cards.

Try this: Head over to your state employment service, and try to find out if you qualify for a WIA voucher. If so, it will pay the total cost of your schooling. It's worth a shot, at least. Thats how I'm going to attend. I too need PTDI certification for the companies I'd like to work for.

[kjax]

The feds handed out about $1M in grant money, I think around the beginning of Oct. It covers half of the tuition, for those that qualify. I don't know what the legislation is that made the money available, but do know Sage Technical received about $211K of $990K (I think it was). Give 'em a call and see what you can find out about that grant money. It will go fast. I don't know which companies got their hands on the grant money- just the one I mentioned.

[Jawila]

Sorry about the my last post here. ops: You already tried the WIA thing.