5 Ways to Pay for Trucking School

So you’re looking to get into the trucking business, but not sure which school should you should go to, or how you should pay for it? Paying for trucking school can be a big expense, and knowing which school you should choose can make a huge difference in where you get hired, and in the quality of education you receive (which we will examine in another article).
The tuition cost for trucking school can be a heavy burden. Assuming you don’t have the money to pay out of pocket, there are several ways to cut down on the cost and still start a new career in the trucking industry. I’ll explain five of those ways for you right here.
1. Use a Credit Card with 0% interest. I used to be in the banking business before I started recruiting truck drivers. Our bank decided to pursue trucking schools in an effort to boost our credit card clients. What we found was that the average trucking school was charging 21% for student financing, but our card was 0% for the first 12 months and between 7-13% after. This is a huge savings in the end. Many times new students couldn’t get approved on their own, but with the help of a supportive relative were able to. First, try on your own and if you’re not approved explain to your family member that you’re looking to better yourself with a new career, and need a little assistance. After all, this is an investment into your future!
2. Use trucking school finance. Yes, the rates are much higher, but you have a very high chance of getting approved.
3. Go to work for a company that provides your schooling upfront. Typically you will not make as much as you would going in with a CDL, however you will have very little upfront expense, and in a month or two you’ll be making just as much as everyone else. Just keep in mind, most companies that pay your education upfront will require that you stay with them for a period (typically 6-9 months). However, this also benefits you in many ways since most companies also require at least 6 months of recent experience before giving you some of the better jobs in the industry.
4. Borrow the money from a friend or family member on contract. These days there are several low cost legal services online. For a small fee you can draw up a legally binding contract that may give your family member or friend more confidence when loaning money to you. It’s also a wonderful investment in your future, so your chances are much greater on getting that “yes” if you have a family member or friend with the resources to help you.
5. Apply for private or government funding that is offered to provide grant money for skills training. Some of these programs include the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), vocational rehabilitation (VocRehab), Trade Adjustment Assistance (TRAY/TAA), and the welfare-to-work (WtW) programs. Military veterans have the additional option of applying for funding through the Veterans Administration (VA). Keep in mind that these programs may take some time to get you approved, so plan this accordingly.


If you’re not sure which of these options are the best choice for you, don’t worry! You can contact a truck driver recruiter or driving school counselor and they can help you decide which option will work best for you and your situation.