Admission Information
Admissions Process
After a student’s general inquiry of enrollment, the Director of Admissions will contact the student in order to conduct an entrance interview with interested students. The interview, either phone or in-person, will determine the student’s capacity and intent for the education provided at Hot Rod Institute. The interview will also provide the student with greater understanding of the practices, equipment, and facilities at Hot Rod Institute.
After the interview, the applicant will submit an Enrollment Agreement to the School Director along with high school diploma or equivalent, including the enrollment fee. After a prospective student’s Enrollment Agreement is reviewed and signed by the School Director and approved. Then signed by the Director of Education the student will be will presented with an Enrollment Letter and copy of signed Enrollment Agreement, (digital copy) they will be considered a full-time student of Hot Rod Institute on the start date of their preference.
Enrollment Limitations
Hot Rod Institute has a limited amount of space for students. Each class has room for only 15 students. The small class size maximizes students one on one exposure with their instructors. The overall maximum student enrollment of Hot Rod Institute is set at 90 students in the current class/instructor configuration. Don't worry we keep the Instructor to student ratio low.
VA Funding
In addition to obvious Importance of Today's Military, we do not forget the roots of our Hot Rodding Tradition - The returning WWII Vets and their need for speed! Veterans attending Hot Rod Institute have a few options of educational programs that will determine their VA Benefits. The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30), the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35) along with other VA Benefits that have been approved for education at Hot Rod Institute. The amount of benefits a student receives using VA Benefits will differ depending on which of GI Bills is used and the approved percentage of benefits. In 2010 The President signed The Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2010. Among the improvements to the Chapter 33 GI Bill lies this incredibly helpful change - starting in October of 2011 non-college degree programs, on-the-job training, and flight training programs are now covered. This means students will now be able to use the Post 9/11 GI Bill towards education at Hot Rod Institute. The VA states...
As most of you know when dealing with the VA (or any governmental program for that matter), there are obviously many more differences and idiosyncrasies that separate the bills and their benefits, but in many cases the Post 9/11 GI Bill provides a larger amount towards HRI’s tuition and fees. The link below will display a Comparison Tool found on the GI Bill VA website to help you decide which benefit program is best for you.
http://gibill.va.gov/resources/benefits_resources/benefit_comparison_tools.html
Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits – The Post 9/11 GI Bill is the most popular choice among Vets attending HRI. Below is a bit more info on the program.
Non-college Degree Granting Institutions – Actual net costs for in-state tuition & fees not to exceed
$24,476.79 during the academic year. (If a student is certified at 100% benefits.)
Any interested military or veteran personal will need to contact the VA in order to receive their Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to see what percentage of what benefits will be awarded. Interested veterans will also be required to read the HRI VA Info Sheet to ensure they understand their options when choosing to use VA Benefits to attend HRI. Veterans will need to mail, email, or fax HRI a copy of their personal COE to Hot Rod Institute (with or after sending in their enrollment agreement) be certified in the VA ONCE system.
Contact VA Director for Hot Rod Institute to receive the HRI Official VA Info sheet with specific information on applying to HRI with VA Benefits.
Previous Educational Experience
Applicants are required to hold a High School Diploma, or equivalent (GED), issued by an accredited High School or State Education Department. Students have the opportunity to pursue their GED with the assistance of Career Learning Center of the Black Hills (CLC) located in Rapid City, and surrounding areas. Classes offered at CLC are free and the GED test is $95.00. CLC also offers English as a Second Language classes. Students can contact the HRI Director of Admissions for more info on either program.
Constitution Day at Hot Rod Institute
Hot Rodding is one of America’s oldest pastimes, recently speaking anyways. It is hard to think of Hot Rodding without thinking about America, and its history. America’s values and personality have shaped Hot Rodding throughout the life of the kulture.
At the birth of hot rodding is a time when Americans started to understand that America, in all her beauty, deserves to be seen. The ever present feeling of Americans’ need to be Free led them to the highways. Automobiles began to make more power and handle amazing new speeds; new roads were needed to handle the momentum of the American people. Miles of asphalt united the states of America previously unattainable to many people in other parts of the country.
The theme of this golden age of motoring has been seen throughout America’s history, dating back to the birth of our nation. America had fought dearly for their freedom, and now needed unite the country. On September 17th 1787, thirty-nine courageous signatures were penned on the Constitution of the United States, to first handle the momentum of the American people. The Constitution was designed as a roadway for the growth of our new nation. Although there were some potholes in the original document and improvements have been made, the ideas behind the document
At Hot Rod Institute, we celebrate our Nation’s Pastime, History, and Rights. On September 17th is our Nation’s Constitution Day, and it is a chance for all of us to celebrate our Freedom. Students are always encouraged to Vote and Remember how and why we are all here. The following links and videos will help us learn more about this amazing moment in history.
Videos
School House Rock’s Constitution’s PreambleThe Constitution of the United States of America
Educational Links
Constitution Day – Celebrating the Holiday.
Constitution Center – An organization focused on preserving the memory of the U.S. Constitution.
The Charters of Freedom – Great site with a lot of info on the history of America through its major documents.
NEW for Constitution Day 2011 – Students are encouraged to dress as their Favorite Founding Father.