Financial Aid for Truck Driving School
How MUCH DOes CDL TRaining Cost?
Paying for CDL training is one of the most common questions students have when considering a career in trucking.
CDL training costs $6,000 to $8,000, but many students never pay the full amount out of pocket. Workforce grants, VA education benefits, scholarships, and employer tuition reimbursement programs can significantly reduce or even eliminate tuition costs.
At Driver Resource Center, our team helps students explore every available funding and financing option to help qualified applicants begin training with little upfront cost.
Self-Pay For CDL TRaining
Some students choose to self-pay for CDL training upfront using personal savings or financial help from family. Paying tuition in full may qualify you for tuition assistance, which can lower for overall cost. It allows you to start training immediately without interest or loan payments. It is by far the quickest and most flexible ways to pay for CDL training.
CDL TRaining Loans
Driver Resource Center offers affordable loan financing options through three partner lenders that allow students to start CDL training with little money out of pocket. Many graduates use employer tuition reimbursement programs from trucking companies to help repay training loans after they begin working.
Tuition Reimbursement Programs
We are proud to partner with the top trucking companies in the industry, many of which provide tuition reimbursement for your Class A CDL. That’s money paid directly to you after graduation to pay for CDL training. To learn about job opportunities with great trucking companies offering tuition reimbursement, apply now and we will be happy to assist you.
Veterans Post 9/11 GI Bill®*
For military veterans, the Post 9/11 GI Bill® provides expanded benefits for CDL training tuition and even an apprenticeship program.* You may be eligible to use your GI Bill® to help pay your tuition and provide additional assistance while you are training. Some carriers, in fact, are members of the Military Apprenticeship Program. With this program, you may be eligible to earn a monthly educational benefit check along with your weekly salary from your new job. For some veterans, this could be as much as $1,400 additional each month. The Post 9/11 GI Bill® is not accepted at all schools.* Apply now and we’ll help you through the process.
DON’T LET YOUR FINANCES STOP YOU FROM LAUNCHING A NEW CAREER. APPLY NOW!
COMPANY-SPONSORED CDL TRAINING
Some trucking companies will pay for CDL training through sponsorship. This could be an option for you, if you are able to commit to a truck driving position for a period of time. In exchange for driving for the trucking company, they will cover most of the costs of your truck driver training tuition. Apply now and we will be happy to talk with you about this option. Depending on the sponsorship you qualify for, some students are hired directly at the campus they attend.
CDL TRaining GraNTS
Government workforce programs may offer career training grants to help unemployed or underemployed individuals gain skills for high-demand careers like truck driving. Programs such as WIOA may cover most or even all of CDL training costs for qualified applicants.
How to Pay for CDL Training Comparison
| Payment Option | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Pay | No interest or debt May qualify for tuition assistance to lower cost Start immediately Utilize employer tuition reimbursement |
Requires upfront funds | Students with savings who want no financial obligations and flexible future job options |
| Workforce Grants (WIOA) | May cover most or all tuition No repayment required |
Must qualify Application process can take time |
Unemployed or underemployed individuals seeking career training |
| VA Education Benefits | Tuition coverage Monthly housing allowance No repayment required |
Must meet eligibility requirements | Military veterans with VA education benefits available |
| Loan Financing (DRC) | Low upfront cost Start training quickly Flexible payments Utilize employer tuition reimbursement |
Requires repayment May include interest |
Students low on funds who don’t qualify for grants, but want to start now |
| Scholarships | Reduces tuition cost No repayment required |
Limited availability Competitive application |
Students seeking additional financial assistance |
Frequently Asked Questions about Financial Aid for CDL School
How much is CDL School?
CDL training costs are surprisingly affordable. You might be eligible for a CDL training grant that can offset a significant portion, if not all, of the CDL school expenses. Various local, state, and federal CDL grants are accessible. We can assist in assessing your eligibility for WIAO benefits, VocRehab, VA, or other CDL training grants. The tuition assistance programs differ based on the school’s location.
How can I get a CDL for free?
The terms “free CDL training” and “paid CDL training” are often used interchangeably. Essentially, what they imply is that as a student, you receive your CDL training or tuition without any upfront charges. The Driver Resource center works with a network of private CDL schools. Our priority is to help you get a CDL with the least out-of-pocket costs possible and ensure you have a great job after graduation. Whether or not you can get a CDL at no cost depends on each individual’s situation and which tuition assistance programs they qualify for.
Let’s Talk
Have questions? Need details? Let us call you about our tuition options.
*GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/Trademark_Terms_of_Use.asp
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Don’t worry, CDL School is more affordable than you think and the best part is, you don’t have to do it alone. Our career specialists are here to walk you through the various assistance and financing options. Many of our students utilize an assistance program, whether it is a grant or carrier partnership to help pay for CDL training.