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Indian Hills Class A CDL (Driving Futures Grant)

Indian Hills Community College

CDL & truckingOpen

At a glance

  • Cost: Free with grant
  • Format: In-person
  • Length: 6 weeks
  • Who qualifies: Vets · Service members · Spouses
  • Applications: Open
Visit official page for Indian Hills Class A CDL (Driving Futures Grant) (opens in a new tab)Checked
Full details
Cost
Class A tuition is $4,800 (drug screen included; IHCC says tuition and fees are subject to change). IHCC's Driving Futures Grant, funded by an FMCSA CMVOST award, provides tuition assistance, and FMCSA's FY2025 award summary funds at least 14 students at the full $4,800 tuition. Seats are limited and the interest form does not guarantee acceptance. You arrange your CDL permit, certified driving record and DOT physical before class; the grant page does not say those are covered.
Who qualifies
Veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and eligible spouses and dependent children. You must meet IHCC's program rules on age, driving history, safety standards and career readiness. Class prerequisites: 18 or older, a CDL permit, a certified copy of your motor vehicle record (MVR), a DOT physical, a drug screen (included in tuition) and a Bronze score on the NCRC assessment (free at IHCC's Testing Center).
Format
In person at the Ottumwa North Campus; weekday classes run Monday to Thursday, 8 AM to 4 PM. About 40 hours of classroom and simulator training, 10 hours of pre- and post-trip inspection, 50 hours of range and backing skills, and 80 hours behind the wheel on public roads, on 10- and 13-speed manual transmissions.

Check current terms: Individual eligibility, seats and coverage must be confirmed with the provider.

Dates and availability: Status evidence: The official IHCC grant page invites applicants through its CMVOST Interest & Eligibility Form, and IHCC lists weekday Class A classes Nov 2 to Dec 10, 2026 and Jan 4 to Feb 11, 2027. Application window: Rolling; fill out the interest form and IHCC staff review your eligibility. Availability limits: Grant seats are limited (FMCSA funded at least 14 students), and submitting the form does not guarantee acceptance. Next start: Weekday Class A: Nov 2 to Dec 10, 2026, then Jan 4 to Feb 11, 2027 (classes start about every 9 weeks).

Credential
Professional certification / license pathwayClass A CDL (Iowa DOT test on site)
Exam coverage
IncludedIHCC includes Iowa DOT CDL testing for students who complete training.

Before you decide

What is free
IHCC's Driving Futures Grant (FMCSA CMVOST) provides tuition assistance for its Class A CDL; FMCSA's award summary funds at least 14 students at the full $4,800 tuition.
Who qualifies
Veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and eligible spouses and dependent children. You must meet IHCC's program rules on age, driving history, safety standards and career readiness. Class prerequisites: 18 or older, a CDL permit, a certified copy of your motor vehicle record (MVR), a DOT physical, a drug screen (included in tuition) and a Bronze score on the NCRC assessment (free at IHCC's Testing Center).
What you get
A 6-week, FMCSA entry-level-driver-training (ELDT) compliant Class A CDL course in Ottumwa, Iowa, with Iowa DOT CDL testing on site. The FMCSA-funded Driving Futures Grant provides tuition assistance for eligible military-connected students, plus job placement help with regional transportation employers.
Credential and key limits
IHCC Commercial Driving certificate; students who complete training take the Iowa DOT Class A CDL test on site (IHCC is an Iowa DOT third-party testing site).
Format
In person at the Ottumwa North Campus; weekday classes run Monday to Thursday, 8 AM to 4 PM. About 40 hours of classroom and simulator training, 10 hours of pre- and post-trip inspection, 50 hours of range and backing skills, and 80 hours behind the wheel on public roads, on 10- and 13-speed manual transmissions.
Duration
6 weeks (weekday class).
Location
Ottumwa, IA: Indian Hills Community College North Campus.
Deadline
Status evidence: The official IHCC grant page invites applicants through its CMVOST Interest & Eligibility Form, and IHCC lists weekday Class A classes Nov 2 to Dec 10, 2026 and Jan 4 to Feb 11, 2027. Application window: Rolling; fill out the interest form and IHCC staff review your eligibility. Availability limits: Grant seats are limited (FMCSA funded at least 14 students), and submitting the form does not guarantee acceptance.
Next start
Weekday Class A: Nov 2 to Dec 10, 2026, then Jan 4 to Feb 11, 2027 (classes start about every 9 weeks).
Notes
Run by IHCC Continuing Education & Workforce Solutions under FMCSA award FM-DTG-0241-25-01-00. The grant also offers referrals to campus and community resources and job placement help.
Availability
Open
Details checked
2026-10-22

Application and credential details

How to apply
  1. Fill out the CMVOST Interest & Eligibility Form linked on IHCC's Driving Futures Grant page.
  2. IHCC staff review your eligibility and send next steps.
  3. Before class, get your Iowa CDL permit, a certified copy of your MVR and a DOT physical, and score Bronze or higher on the NCRC assessment (free at the IHCC Testing Center; call 641-683-5142 to schedule).
  4. Start in an open Class A section; the next weekday class runs Nov 2 to Dec 10, 2026.
Documents to prepare
  • Iowa CDL permit; certified copy of your motor vehicle record (MVR); DOT physical; Bronze NCRC score.
Additional requirements and limits
  • Grant seats are limited (FMCSA funded at least 14 students), and submitting the form does not guarantee acceptance.
  • You must meet program rules on age, driving history, safety standards and career readiness.
  • Federal DOT rules require you to read and speak English well enough to drive commercially; that is why IHCC requires the Bronze NCRC score.
Application link
Open official application page
Credential or outcome
IHCC Commercial Driving certificate; students who complete training take the Iowa DOT Class A CDL test on site (IHCC is an Iowa DOT third-party testing site).
Application details checked
2026-10-22
Application review status
Official-source review completed
Sources for these details
Availability checked
2026-10-22
Current availability
Open
Status evidence
The official IHCC grant page invites applicants through its CMVOST Interest & Eligibility Form, and IHCC lists weekday Class A classes Nov 2 to Dec 10, 2026 and Jan 4 to Feb 11, 2027.
Application window
Rolling; fill out the interest form and IHCC staff review your eligibility.
Program start
Weekday Class A: Nov 2 to Dec 10, 2026, then Jan 4 to Feb 11, 2027 (classes start about every 9 weeks).
Availability limits
Grant seats are limited (FMCSA funded at least 14 students), and submitting the form does not guarantee acceptance.
Timing sources
View official programBack to the program finder

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