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.

Student Achievement outcomes

Reporting to ACCSC Graduation and Employment for the 2025 reporting year.

Hot Rod Diploma Program 4 class 100% Graduation rate and 100% Employment Rate

Hot Rod Diploma Program 5 class 100% Graduation rate and 100% Employment Rate

Hot Rod Special Achievement Diploma Program 6 class

100% Graduation rate 100% and 100% Employment Rate

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.

(Info from the website - https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/resources/benefits_resources/rates/ch33/ ch33rates080119.asp)

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 Preamble The 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.

Constitution Day Programs -

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.

Hot Rod Institute Tuition Rate

Hot Rod Institute Tuition Rate

Tuition Year Program

Tuition Cost

Application Fee Program Length Total Cost*

2026-2027 Hot Rod Diploma Program 4 class (HRDP4) $28,000 $100** 12 months $28,100

2026-2027 Hot Rod Diploma Program 5 class (HRDP5) $35,000 $100** 15 Months $35,100

2026-2027 Hot Rod Special Achievement Diploma Program (HRSADP6) $42,000 $100** 18 Months $42,100

** $100 enrollment fee will be refunded if you decide not to attend

How to Apply for Financial Aid

You may apply for eligibility any time within six (6) months of your expected start date.

1. Create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID by completing your FAFSA at Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) | USAGov to see if you qualify for federal financial aid, including grants and student loans. Use Hot Rod Institute Federal School Code: 04211100

2. Time to get your Hot Rod Institute Enrollment Agreement filled out and mailed or scanned and emailed. Don’t forget to send a copy of High School Diploma, or GED Equivalent. There is a $100 enrollment fee (refundable if you choose not to attend)

3. Once we have your enrollment agreement your FAFSA will be processed, and we can let you know if or what they will offer you in a Financial Aid Offer. Please respond quickly so Hot Rod Institute can continue to process your application.

FAFSA Step-by-Step Guide

1. Go to studentaid.gov and click 'Start FAFSA Form'.

2. Log in with your FSA ID or create one if needed. Parents must create their own FSA ID if required.

3. Select the correct academic year for your application.

4. Start a new FAFSA form and identify yourself as the student.

5. Enter student demographic information including name, SSN, DOB, and contact details.

6. Add up to 20 schools to receive your FAFSA information.

7. Answer dependency status questions to determine if parent information is required.

8. If dependent, have your parent(s) complete their section using their FSA ID.

9. Provide financial information using the IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX) when available.

10. Review all sections carefully for accuracy and completeness.

11. Student (and parent, if required) signs electronically using FSA ID.

12. Submit your FAFSA and save the confirmation page.

Helpful Tips

Complete the FAFSA early to maximize aid eligibility.

Use IRS data transfer to reduce errors.

Double-check Social Security numbers and financial information.

Monitor email for FAFSA Submission Summary and follow-up requests.

Types of Federal Financial Aid

Pell Grants

For those who qualify, grants are awarded based on financial need combined with the cost of attendance (determined by your school and specific program). Unlike loans, grants only need to be paid back in very rare circumstances.

Direct Subsidized Student Loans

For those who qualify and have financial needs, subsidized loans offer students favorable terms, and the interest is paid by the U.S. Department of Education under the following conditions:

· While you’re in school at least half-time

· For the first 6 months after you leave school (grace period)

· During a time of deferment (postponement of loan payments)

Direct Unsubsidized Student Loans

Qualified applicants are not required to demonstrate a financial need in order to receive unsubsidized loan disbursement. However, terms are less favorable and include:

· Interest immediately begins to accrue at the time of the first disbursement

· Interest accrues during all times of forbearance, deferment, and the 6-month grace period after leaving school