DOT Veterans Grant 2021
Tri-C Awarded Federal Grant to Help Train Military Veterans For Jobs as Commercial Truck and Bus Drivers
Federal transportation officials awarded Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) a $96,815 federal grant to help train veterans or their spouses for jobs as commercial truck drivers.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) awarded nearly $2 million to 14 technical and community colleges across the country.
The Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training (CMVOST) Grant Program, which was established by Congress in 2005 through the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act — A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), as amended by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act Section 5101 and codified as 49 USC Section 31103, has two goals:
- to expand the number of CDL holders possessing enhanced operator safety training to help reduce the severity and number of crashes on U.S. roads involving commercial motor vehicles; and
- to assist current or former members of the United States Armed Forces (including National Guard members and Reservists) and their spouses to receive training to transition to the CMV operation industry.
Tri-C's program is one of 14 in nation to receive funding
These grants go to a variety of educational institutions that provide truck driving training. Tri-C’s Transportation Innovation Center CDL training program — located at 24881 Rockwell Drive in Euclid — was the only program in Ohio to receive funding this in 2020.
Tri-C opened its CDL Training program in 2008 and expects to graduate upwards of 120 students this academic year.
Program Available:
This 160-hour program of classroom and hands‑on training and testing provides instruction in driver safety, transporting cargo safely, air brakes, combination vehicles, tank vehicles and hazardous materials. Training includes pre-trip vehicle inspection, vehicle control and on-road driving (required for skills testing).
Eligibility Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- No felonies (certain misdemeanors will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
- Current Ohio driver’s license with no restrictions
- No more than two points on the driver’s license in the last three years, and no more than one moving violation within the last three years
- Copy of DD214 with honorable discharge
- Successfully pass interview for acceptance into program
- Pass DOT physical and drug screen after enrollment
To apply, please use the CDL program application found on the upper right-hand side of this screen.
Please Note: The CDL Program is currently in the process of being re-certified by the Veterans Services The DOT Veterans Grant is separate from any other benefit program, so veterans cannot use their Post 9/11 GI-Bill at this time until the recertification process has been completed.
