Most students at Diesel Driving Academy (DDA) pay for CDL training with a mix of sources. That mix might be a federal grant, workforce funding, VA benefits, a payment plan, or money paid back by a trucking company after hire. The order matters, because some programs take weeks to approve. The steps below show how to set up funding for Class A CDL training, from the first phone call to the first paycheck.
For a full list of the payment options DDA accepts, see DDA’s financial aid page.
Step 1: Contact DDA Admissions and Financial Aid
The first step is a conversation with DDA staff. A student does not need to know which options they qualify for before calling. Staff will review the student’s work history, military service, income, and goals. Then they explain which funding sources to look at and which campus and start date fit.
Students can call one of DDA’s three campuses or contact us online.
Step 2: Gather Documents
Having documents ready speeds up every application. Most students need:
- A valid driver’s license
- A Social Security number
- Recent tax information for the student, and for a parent if the student is a dependent
Some students need extra records:
- Veterans and service members: military discharge papers (DD-214) or proof of service
- Laid-off workers: a layoff notice or separation papers
- Students with a disability: medical or disability records
Step 3: Find the Funding Sources That Fit
Most students start with sources that generally do not have to be repaid. These include grants, workforce funding, and VA benefits. Loans and payment plans then cover what is left.
| If the student is… | Start with | Where to apply |
| Any student with financial need | Federal student aid (Pell Grant, FSEOG) | FAFSA at StudentAid.gov |
| Unemployed, underemployed, or laid off | WIOA | Local Business and Career Solutions Center |
| A worker covered by a past trade-related layoff petition | Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) | Local Business and Career Solutions Center |
| A veteran, service member, or eligible family member | VA education benefits | VA.gov |
| A person with a disability that makes it hard to work | Louisiana Vocational Rehabilitation | Louisiana Rehabilitation Services |
| Still owing a balance after other aid | DDA payment plan or federal loans | DDA admissions, FAFSA |
Common combinations:
- A laid-off worker applies for WIOA and files the FAFSA in the same week. One works as a backup for the other.
- A veteran uses GI Bill® benefits first, then covers any balance with a grant or a payment plan.
- A working adult with no other aid uses a DDA payment plan, then picks a carrier that offers tuition reimbursement.
Step 4: File the FAFSA
Every student should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), even if another program may cover tuition. The FAFSA is the only way to apply for federal aid, and it gives a backup if other funding falls through. DDA offers federal aid for eligible programs, and the financial aid office confirms what applies to each program and start date.
Federal aid through the FAFSA can include:
- Federal Pell Grant. This need-based grant usually does not have to be repaid. For the 2026-27 award year, the largest award is $7,395.
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). This grant is for students with the greatest need. Funds are limited, so filing early helps.
- Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. These are federal loans that must be repaid.
- Federal Direct PLUS Loans. These are loans parents of dependent students can take out. They require a credit check.
To file:
- Create a StudentAid.gov account. A parent who needs to give information makes one too.
- Pick the correct FAFSA year. The 2026-27 FAFSA covers training between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027.
- List DDA on the form. DDA’s financial aid office provides the right school code for each campus.
- Submit the form, then watch for messages from StudentAid.gov and DDA asking for more information.
Step 5: Apply for Outside Funding at the Same Time
Outside programs often take longer than federal aid. Students should apply for these in the same week they file the FAFSA, not after.
WIOA. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act pays for job training for eligible adults, laid-off workers, and youth. In Louisiana, the Louisiana Workforce Commission runs WIOA through local Business and Career Solutions Centers.
- Register on HiRE, the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s job site.
- Visit the nearest Business and Career Solutions Center to meet with a counselor.
- Bring any documents the center requests.
If WIOA approves a student, the program pays DDA directly.
Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). TAA is closed to new petitions. Workers covered by a petition certified on or before June 30, 2022, may still qualify. These workers should confirm eligibility at a Business and Career Solutions Center.
VA education benefits. DDA accepts VA education benefits for CDL training at its Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and Monroe campuses.
- Apply for education benefits on VA.gov.
- Save the Certificate of Eligibility or decision letter that VA sends.
- Give a copy to DDA admissions.
DDA’s blog covers how to use the GI Bill® for CDL training in more detail.
Louisiana Vocational Rehabilitation. Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) helps people with disabilities prepare for work, and job training can be part of that help.
- Apply at the nearest LRS regional office.
- Meet with a counselor, who decides eligibility.
- If approved, build an Individualized Plan for Employment that includes CDL training.
For every outside program: Share the counselor’s or agency’s contact information with DDA, so staff can coordinate paperwork and a start date.
Step 6: Review the Funding Plan and Cover Any Balance
Once results come back, DDA staff review each funding source and any amount the student still owes. If there is a balance, the student can cover it with a DDA payment plan, a federal loan, or both. A payment plan spreads the cost over time but does not lower the total.
Step 7: Finish Paperwork Before Class Starts
Funding should be confirmed before the first day of the 8-week Class A CDL program. During this step, students sign enrollment and payment plan documents and confirm their start date with admissions.
This is also a good time to work on the other requirements for getting a CDL in Louisiana, such as the commercial learner’s permit and DOT medical card.
Step 8: Ask Carriers About Tuition Reimbursement After Graduation
Some trucking companies pay back part of a new driver’s training cost after hire. This money does not lower what the student pays before class. It helps pay down a payment plan or loan once the driver starts earning. Each company sets its own terms, and payments often come in smaller amounts over the driver’s first months or year on the job. Many companies require the driver to stay for a set period to receive the full amount.
DDA’s job placement team connects graduates with hiring carriers. When comparing job offers, graduates can ask each carrier:
- Does the company offer tuition reimbursement?
- How much does it pay, and how often?
- How long does a driver need to stay to receive the full amount?
- What records does the company need, such as proof of tuition paid?
Get Started
Funding takes time to arrange, so the best time to start is before choosing a class date.
- Call DDA: 1-(866) 584-8620
- Request information online: Contact DDA
- Visit a campus: Shreveport, Baton Rouge, or Monroe
- See all payment options: DDA financial aid
Frequently Asked Questions
Do WIOA, VA, or Vocational Rehabilitation funds have to be paid back?
No. These programs generally do not have to be repaid, as long as the student follows each program’s rules.
Can a veteran use GI Bill® benefits and federal student aid together?
Yes. DDA’s financial aid staff can explain how VA benefits and federal grants or loans work together for each student.
Can someone who is currently working qualify for WIOA?
Yes, in some cases. Eligibility depends on income, job status, and local rules, and a Business and Career Solutions Center makes the final decision.
What happens if a student is denied WIOA or another outside program?
The student can still use federal aid if eligible, a DDA payment plan, or both. Filing the FAFSA at the same time as other applications keeps those options open.
Does a student need to choose a trucking company before training to get tuition reimbursement?
No. Reimbursement comes from the carrier that hires the driver after graduation, and DDA’s job placement team helps graduates compare carriers.
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 website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.