Driver’s Education Grant Program Information & FAQ

Welcome! Please read the following important information about the CCT Foundation Driver's Education Program:

ABOUT: The Cape Cod Tech Foundation offers grants for all CCT students needing financial assistance for driver’s education and is based upon financial need. The Driver’s Education program is offered through a local driving school, CMSC (Central MA Safety Council) Driving School. The parent/student will need to confirm class dates, student driving observation times, and testing with the driving school after approval.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: For all CCT students with financial needs whose families cannot afford the cost of driver’s education, even under a payment plan. Students must be at least 15.9 years of age to take driver’s education courses.

HOW TO APPLY: Parents and students can fill out an application at capecodtechfoundation.org > Apply for a grant > Driver’s Education Grants

PLEASE NOTE: CMSC driving school now offers a discount for all Cape Tech students! Please inquire with them at (508) 790-1200 for more details. Affordable payment plans are available!

PROCESS:

1) Application processing

Once we receive your application, it will be held until the next driver’s education class start date is confirmed. Applications are considered in the order they are received. We hold two classes per year. Our classes take place near Oct/Nov and spring break, subject to the driving school’s availability. In the meantime, FAQs can be accessed anytime which contain answers to all common questions. You can also reach out to Ms. Stretcher for any other questions you may have at zstretcher@capetech.us or by calling CCT and dialing ex. 3108. We may reach out to you if we have any follow-up questions about your application.

2) Confirmation & Eligibility

Once we confirm dates with the driving school, we will reach out to all applicants to confirm that they will be available for the class as well as determine program eligibility.

3) Make your contribution

After confirming your availability, you will be invited to make a contribution towards your student's class to us at the CCT Foundation. This allows us to keep this program going and is a way for recipients to not only pay for their child’s driver’s education but also a way to pay it forward. This amount will be an amount you can comfortably afford and can be donated at any time before the class. PLEASE NOTE: We do not offer payment plans at this time.

4) Set up your student portal

CMSC Cape Cod will contact you via the information provided on the application to register your student for the class and help you set up your online portal.

5) Attend & complete the class

Please make sure the student attends the class whether online or in person. If your student has already completed their 30 hours of classroom time and has their permit, they will move on to step 7.

6) Get your permit

Once the class has been completed, the student will test for their permit at the RMV. Students will need to be 16 years of age before taking the test. Please note: The RMV fees are not included in the cost of the grant program.

7) Observation and driving

Once the student has their permit, they will need to reach out to CMSC Cape Cod again to schedule their observation and driving time.

8) Get your driver’s license!

After the student has successfully completed all driving and observation hours, they can schedule their driver’s test to obtain their driver’s license. Congratulations!

CCT Foundation Driver’s Education Grant FAQs

Who is this program for?

Our driver's education grants are for all Cape Tech students and families of students who require financial assistance. We ask that families contribute any amount that they can towards their child's driver's education for us to continue to provide these grants and other scholarships for our hard-working students. This is not a free Driver’s Ed program.

When will the next class be?

We hold all driver's education classes in the fall and spring of each year during Oct/Nov and April vacation, vendor schedule permitting. You will be contacted when dates are available to confirm your availability and continued interest in the program.

Do you offer in-person classes?

Occasionally, there may be opportunities for in-person classes. However, at this time, we are anticipating that we will primarily hold online classes going forward.

What are the prerequisites for the class?

MUST be an active Cape Cod Tech student
This is a GRANT PROGRAM and is only for students with financial need. All active CCT students receive a discount at CMSC Driving School Cape Cod, please call them at (508)-790-1200 to inquire about special pricing and payment plans!
Students must be at least 15.9 years of age at the start date of the first class.
ALL students are required to be present for ALL 30 hours of classroom time. Any student who is absent or unavailable for any portion of the full 30 hours for any reason will not be able to take the exam and proceed to observation and driving. Make-up hours will be available online under very limited circumstances such as illness or other family emergencies. We do not excuse extracurricular activities as a reason for missed classes. Please make your arrangements before committing to the class. Parents, please ensure your students can fully commit to the course or they will not be eligible for these opportunities in the future.
All parents/guardians must take an online parent class. The parent class is required by the RMV to be taken by all parents who have not already completed the parent class within the past five years. The parent class will take about two hours and will be available in the online portal once eligible.

Does the student need their permit before starting the class?

A permit is not required to take the class, but students will need to obtain a permit from the RMV after their 30 hours of classroom time to move on to the observation and driving components of the course. Students who already have their permit will be able to move on to their observation and driving immediately after completing the 30 hours of required classroom time and passing the exam.

How do I apply?

Please visit this link or visit capecodtechfoundation.org > Apply for a CCT Foundation Grant > Driver’s Education Grants

My student has already received their permit. Do they need to take the whole course again to finish?

No. If your student has already completed classroom time, even at another vendor, they can start their observation and driving. There is no need for them to retake the class. However, if the student has taken partial classroom time and has not completed the full 30 hours, they will have to make up those hours.

What is the total cost of the program and what is included in the cost?

The total cost of driver’s education can vary but is currently $775 and will include 30 hours of classroom training, testing, observation, 12 hours of driving, SKIDZ school, a student workbook, and the 2-hour parent class. These classes do not include RMV fees.

Is this a free Driver's Ed program for CCT students?

No. This is a grant program offered by the Cape Cod Tech Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit that is dedicated to bridging financial gaps for all CCT students who cannot afford the total amount, even under a payment plan.

We ask all families to make a contribution that they can comfortably afford towards their child's driver's education. These contributions are treated as donations, and all funds are used to continue to provide this program and our similar programs to other CCT students and families in need.

How are contributions made? When should I make my payment?

Contributions can be made by check or online. Payments can be made as soon as you can, but preferably within 30 days of the class start date.

Checks can be made out to "Cape Cod Tech Foundation" and either mailed to the school address with the attention of Bob Eckel, the Executive Director, or brought to the foundation office, 3102. Our office is located upstairs in the business office, first door on the right, desk on the left.

Online payments can also be made by visiting: https://cape-cod-tech-foundation.square.site/ Please select "Cape Cod Tech Foundation Donation" and choose your own amount. You can access the payment portal at any time by visiting our website at https://www.capecodtechfoundation.org/ and clicking any "Donate Now" button.

Why offer this program?

We know that for our students in the trades, a driver's license is not a luxury. It is a requirement. We are happy to be able to provide these grants and other similar grants to our hard-working students! Please reach out to Zoey Stretcher with any other questions you may have by calling the school and dialing ext. 3108 or by emailing her at zstretcher@capetech.us.