There are a variety of scholarships available that can help you prepare for and start your own trucking business. Most of these grants weren't specifically designed for the trucking industry, but can still be used toward the upfront costs of purchasing your own truck and equipment. Additionally, you may be able to win bids for contracts of sufficient size to obtain the initial financing you need.
If you are thinking of starting your own trucking business from scratch, the first step is to become a licensed truck driver. Truck driving school is treated like any other trade school when it comes to financial aid. Pell Grants, Grants, and Federal Student Loans may be available through the Free Application for Student Aid, through "Workforce Investement Act" grants, or other programs. The best grants for owner operator truck drivers place to start is the financial aid office of the trucking school you are considering. The office staff will be familiar with the programs that other students have used.
Most of the grants available specifically for the transportation industry are directed at "green" initiatives, including the "National Clean Diesel" campaign, organized by the Environmental Protection Agency. This program provides grants to trucking companies for a variety of measures that reduce emissions. However, in many cases, these grants only help offset the higher cost of "greener" trucks and equipment, but do not provide enough funds to cover the full cost of a truck and its necessary accessories.
Some scholarships may be available to you that are not specifically for truck drivers. Grants.gov is an online resource that allows you to search for and apply for open scholarships offered by various agencies of the United States federal government. The lists change frequently and can be sorted by agency, category, or keyword. The Small Business Administration has a similar grant search feature on its website at SBA.gov. Many of the donations that can be applied to any of the transportation agencies will be small business grants. Also, if you are a female trucker, you can qualify for a wide range of public and private grants specifically for women's businesses.
