CLASSES OFFERED
HOT ROD CHASSIS
Anything you would want to know about Chassis of a project, from modifying a frame to scratch building one. Lot of TIG & MIG welding fun!!!
HOT ROD BODY
Weld-on panels, fabrication and metal shaping. Any metal work that could be done by welding, rolling, shaping and general fabrication fun!!!
HOT ROD BODY ADVANCED
Advanced Metal Shaping using power tools, custom body mods; chopping sectioning, channeling, suicide doors and a lot more metal work fun. The possibilities are endless!!!
HOT ROD UPHOLSTERY
All Automotive upholstery; from the headliner to the carpet. Seats, door panels, including stock type replacement down to full out custom fun!!!
HOT ROD REFINISHING
Refinishing is the reward for all the hard work. Finish body work, filler, primers, and pep for paint is a lot of work; but so rewarding. Painting fun!!! Learn from the best at Hot Rod Institute
HOT ROD PERFORMANCE
Hot Rod Performance covers all that mechanical need to make that project car burn the tires and rip up the streets. Engines, transmissions, wiring, AC install, brakes, and the rear differential. All for the fun of performance!!!
HOT ROD INSTITUTE'S MISSION
Hot Rod Institute is dedicated to providing a quality, specialized education to students with the passion and determination to achieve success in the Hot Rod and Specialty Automotive Industry. Although deeply rooted in the history of Hot Rodding, our curriculum focuses on current Best Practices in the Specialty Automotive Industry through extensive hands-on experience. Hot Rod Institute’s Diploma Program and Certificates of Completion provide our students with the possibility of direct entry in to the industry they are being prepared for.
HOT ROD INSTITUTE'S VISION
Hot Rod Institute is committed to becoming regarded and respected as the Leader in Specialty Automotive Education. We recognize that in order to realize our Vision we must continue to improve as an institute; exceeding our stakeholders’ expectations while providing topnotch education based on the needs of employers in the Hot Rod and Specialty Automotive Industry.
HOT ROD INSTITUTE'S PURPOSE
In alignment with our Mission and Vision, we view the following objectives to be the main purpose of Hot Rod Institute.
To provide students a specialized post secondary education, focusing on the skills of the Hot Rod and Specialty Automotive Industry.
To provide students a safe and orderly environment in which to study the practical and professional skills taught at Hot Rod Institute.
To provide students with the ability to create and update their professional resume and portfolio, assisting with gainful employment opportunities by displaying their technical skills, abilities, and personal interests.
To provide employers of the Hot Rod and Specialty Automotive Industry with educated, experienced, and qualified entry-level employees.
To preserve the history of the Hot Rodding Tradition by passing on yesterday’s skills and styles to a new generation of Hot Rodders.
HOT ROD INSTITUTE'S CORE VALUES AND BELIEFS
Hot Rod Institute believes that our responsibility to our stakeholders is the basis of our core values. We recognize our main stakeholders to include our students, the employers of the Specialty Automotive Industry they are preparing for, our staff and the community in general.
We believe in providing the premier education for Hot Rod and Specialty Automotive Industry, the guiding force behind our decisions, standards, and policies.
We believe our students’ successes directly reflect the success of our institute.
We believe in developing SMART goals for students, faculty, and the institute.
We believe that respect is the foundation of our ethical standards, and it is imperative to embrace the diversity of the institute and the community.
We believe in responsibility, integrity, and accountability of all People within Hot Rod Institute - students, staff and faculty.
We believe that the Hot Rod and Specialty Automotive Industry is one of passion and individuality; challenging while fun and rewarding.
We believe in a curriculum focused on hands-on experience, continually updated in best practices of today’s top hot rod and specialty automotive shops.
We believe in teamwork, preceded solely by safety.
We believe in the importance of small class sizes and the quality education they provide.
ADMISSIONS PROCESS
After a student’s general inquiry of enrollment, the student will contact the Director of Admissions in order to conduct an entrance interview. 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 Director of Education, along with the application fee. After a prospective student’s application is approved by the Director of Admissions or the School Director, the student will be will presented with an Acceptance Letter (signed copy) and 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.
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.
WHERE IS HOT ROD INSTITUTE LOCATED?
It’s located in the beautiful Black Hills, Rapid City, South Dakota.
Check it out: http://www.city-data.com/city/Rapid-City-South-Dakota.html
HOW LONG HAS THE HRI BEEN AROUND?
Doug LaRue the founder has been building Hot Rods for over 45 years. He has also been a professional instructor for 30+ years. He has developed similar programs for two different schools and expanded those programs many times. Hot Rod Institute opened its doors in 2008, but the instructional staff is very experienced and you can rest assured that if you want a high quality education in the hot rodding industry this is the school for you.
WOULD I HAVE TO TAKE A COLLISION OR AUTOMOTIVE COURSE BEFORE ATTENDING HOT ROD INSTITUTE?
NO. Hot Rod Institute is about building hot rods and old car restoration. If you have already taken some kind of repair industry training from another school it could help, but it is not required and it's not the same. The classes are largely self-paced. It’s our goal to help you achieve a very highest level of competence and make you very employable in the specialty car industry.
HOW LONG IS THE COMPLETE COURSE?
It depends on you and your goals. You can elect to take any number of the three month classes or all 6 classes, which would total 18 months. Here are the programs and a brief description.
HRC – Hot Rod Chassis – Chassis Building, General Fabrication, TIG and MIG Welding
HRB – Hot Rod Body – Sheet Metal Fabrication, Weld on panels, Motorcycle Tanks
HRBA- Hot Rod Body Advanced – Advance sheet metal shaping, Copped Tops, Power Tools HRR – Hot Rod Refinishing – Final Body Work, Priming and Top Coats, Custom Paint HRP – Hot Rod Performance – Engine, Transmissions, Trans-Axles, Wiring, Brakes
HRU – Hot Rod Upholstery – Custom Interiors, Seats, Carpets, Headliners, Door Panels
IS HOT ROD INSTITUTE A PART TIME SCHOOL?
NO. Part of our training is to prepare the student for the work place. The student will go to school 7.5 hours a day five days a week. 8 am till 4:30 pm is our school hours. Hot Rod Institute is very serious about the training we offer our students and we want our students to be very successful in the specialty vehicle industry.
DO I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO WELD BEFORE I GET THERE?
NO. But if you did that means you could move on a little faster during the welding training. If you’re weak in welding don’t be concerned, you will be an excellent welder by the time you graduate. Welding is something we will have you practice and perform almost daily.
WILL I BE HELD BACK BECAUSE OF SLOWER STUDENTS?
NO. The majority of your training will be self paced. Each student will work at their level of expertise. If you require more time to achieve completion of a task or if you achieve the task quickly you move at your individual pace. The more skill you have coming in, the quicker you move up the knowledge ladder.
MAY I BRING MY OWN PROJECT?
YES with approval. Students work on student owned projects, but it must be approved by the School Director. A student project are not required to attend, but it is an opportunity for students to build their own hot rods. There is always plenty of work in classes for students without projects to obtain a wide base for their education. All materials used in student projects are the responsibility of the project owners.
ARE FEMALE STUDENTS ALLOWED TO TAKE THE COURSE?
YES. Female students are encouraged to enroll. We have experienced many very capable female students. The hot rodding industry is an excellent opportunity for any student with some artistic and highly motivated desires to succeed. The gender or race does not matter.
WHAT IS THE APPEARANCE CODE?
We require the student to be well groomed. If he has a beard it must trimmed and cannot be too long for safety reasons. Hair must be kept well groomed. Long hair must be tied back. We maintain a professional atmosphere.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Our number one goal is to give a student a high quality education at a reasonable price. We are not a corporate or government backed school. Hot Rod Institute is just a small private school. For about the cost of a good used truck or a cheap new car, you get one year of awesome car restoration training. After graduation a student could be out in the work force making a good living doing what a true hot rodder loves. Price varies between options, such as a $300 discount on tuition for taking a Diploma Program (4 or more classes). Contact the Director of Admissions for the actual cost. We don’t like to beat around the bush, we will tell you the cost, straight up. Give us a call today! (605) 342-1195
IS THERE FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE THROUGH THE SCHOOL?
YES. We are approved to offer student financial aid through Sallie Mae Financial Corporation. The loan is a Career Training Smart Option Student Loan. Most training loan interest rates are based off of the credit rating of the applicant and/or cosigner. https://www.salliemae.com/student-loans/career-training-smart-option-student-loan/ We do not recruit a large number of students. We are a high quality, elite school; not a high quantity school.
DOES HOT ROD INSTITUTE ACCEPT ANY STUDENT THAT HAS THE MONEY TO ATTEND?
NO. We interview interested students (in person or over the phone) to make sure we are right for the student and the student is right for us. We don’t want to waste anyone’s money or our time.
DOES HOT ROD INSTITUTE OFFER ON-CAMPUS HOUSING FOR STUDENTS?
NO. But we will help you do the research and try to locate affordable housing and a possible roommate for the students that need help. One of the reasons we decided to locate Hot Rod Institute in the Rapid City area is because of its affordable cost of living for the students of Hot Rod Institute. Make sure in your financing that you take housing and living expenses into consideration. In our info package we have a full house list and some pointers for renting.
DOES HOT ROD INSTITUTE ASSIST WITH CAREER OPPORTUNITIES?
YES. As a part of the curriculum the students will be taught how to develop a portfolio and resume’. Students will keep a daily log book of shop tasks preparing them for industry situations. Students will also discuss interview questions to help them prepare them for the job interview.
We are in contact with many of the industry leaders to assure our curriculum is based on the actual tasks performed in professional shops from all over the country. The school is increasing its data bank of contacts on a regular basis. There are plenty of careers opportunities out there, and you have to have the determination to pursue your dream job. HRI does not guarantee employment, but we guarantee to help the student in every step of the way.
FINAL COMMENTS:
If you are considering Hot Rod Institute or any other school you should know exactly where you stand and have no surprises. AT HRI our main objective is to make sure the student gets their monies worth out of their education. Remember “If you love the type of work you do, is it really considered work?”
Contact Doug LaRue, the President & Director of Admissions today to answer any questions you might have.
605-415-8340 doug@hotrod.edu
