FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Tuner School

How much does Tuner School Cost?
The total cost for Tuner School is $14,675. This includes a $100 application fee and a $75 lab fee.

Is financial aid available for Tuner School?
No, not at this time. Tuner School is a private school and is currently not set-up to accept any types of government loans.

What forms of payment are accepted?
We accept the Montgomery GI Bill and Post 9/11 GI Bill, checks (business or personal), most major credit cards as well as bank wire transfers.

What are the requirements to attend Tuner School?
At a minimum, we require a high school diploma or GED. However, Tuner School does not accept everyone who applies. We are seeking people with a passion of high performance vehicles who have good character and who want to be successful in the automotive aftermarket industry.

How do I apply?
Request an application from Tuner School, fill it out and send it in with your $100 application fee. After we review your application we will contact you.

I was accepted into Tuner School. What’s next?
To secure your spot in the term you chose on your application, Tuner School requires a $2,500 tuition deposit. After receiving your initial payment, you will receive a statement and receipt showing that your spot has been held for you. Tuner School requires that your tuition be paid in full prior to beginning your class. We are currently offering a 10% discount if you choose to pay in full no later than 30 days prior to your start date.

What if I need to change terms?
You need to call the Tuner School office at 979.885.1300 to discuss this to make sure there is space in the term you wish to change to.

What are my housing options while I attend Tuner School?
There is an apartment complex located in Sealy about 10 minutes from our facility that has offered a deal for a Tuner School student short-term lease. There are also options in Katy, TX which is located about 30 minutes east of Tuner School. Call for details or use Google to find “apartments in Katy, TX”.

Can I visit Tuner School to see the campus and school environment?
Yes. You may call and make an appointment to come see our facility by calling us at (979) 885-1300.

Do I get any kind of certification when I graduate from Tuner School?
Yes, all students who successfully complete Tuner School will receive a diploma and transcript showing courses completed to show an employer what you are trained to do.

Will there be any opportunities for me to work while I go to school?
We encourage all of our students to work in an automotive related field while they attend Tuner School.

Does Tuner School carry any state licensing?
The Tuner School is licensed by the Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) under its Career Schools and Colleges licensing program. TWC provides information and technical assistance to schools, students and the public. More information and posted policies from the TWC can be found here.

Who will hire me when I graduate? Where would I work?
The automotive aftermarket is a multi-billion dollar industry. There are thousands of auto related companies around the world who install, develop, distribute, engineer, market and tune a wide variety of products and services to enthusiasts of all walks of life. Visit SEMA.org to find out who some of these companies are!

Will Tuner School help me get a job after graduation?
Tuner School will equip you with the fundamental tuning skills that will help you start your career in the automotive aftermarket. We will also help you prepare a resume and guide you on how to present yourself as a confident and professional tuner. Tuner School cannot guarantee employment. Ultimately, you the student and future tuner are in control of your job opportunities. Tuner School will seek to help you maximize your skill level and your understanding of how the industry operates so that you can find the job that best meets your goals.

What do Tuner Technicians get paid in the industry?
It depends on what you are able to do for your employer. Tuner School makes no claim about potential earnings since earnings can vary depending on the size, location and other factors of each employer. The more value you can add to a company the more you will likely make. Some entry level positions may pay in the $20-30k per year range. Seasoned techs can make in the $40-60k per year range. Top earners can make $80k per year or more depending on their area of specialization and markets where they serve. The more you know how to do and the more efficient you are in making your employer successful and profitable, the more money you will make. It’s that simple. You can visit the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics for more information at www.bls.gov.

Can I get a job at Hennessey Performance after I graduate?
Several past Tuner School graduates now work for Hennessey Performance. Depending on performance and position availability, opportunities may exist for graduates.

Do I need to have any special knowledge or skills to attend Tuner School?
No. All you need is a desire to learn and a passion for performance, cars, racing, etc.

Who are the teachers? Are they accredited or professional instructors?
The instructors at Tuner School are actual performance tuning technicians who have a history of modifying cars for their living. We want our students to learn from those who have been successfully modifying cars for a long time. Book knowledge is great, but we are all about performance in the real world. Your ability to get a good job and succeed in this industry is directly tied to what you are able to do and how you’re able to perform for your employer. Regurgitating book answers won’t cut it in the real world. You have to be able to take a work assignment and have the skills and confidence to perform the work from start to finish with great attention to detail. This is the HIGH PERFORMANCE automotive industry. To be a successful part of it, you need to be able to efficiently perform for your employer and, ultimately, your employer’s clients who are seeking improved performance from their vehicle.

Does everyone who attends Tuner School graduate?
We hope so, but just because you paid your tuition does not guarantee you will graduate. All students must meet the attendance requirements for the TWC, maintain a grade of 70 or above, and be able to successfully perform all of the basic skills taught in order to graduate. Again, book answers won’t cut it. You will have to be able to perform and to learn these skills you have to attend class and participate.

What makes Tuner School different from other auto tech programs?
The list is long. But here are a few differences:

• Tuner School operates at a race track which is part of the learning environment.
• Tuner School’s class size is smaller.
• Tuner School was founded by one of the leading automotive aftermarket firms in the world, Hennessey Performance.
• Other tech schools are large operations that are more like college campuses with multiple programs and thousands of students going in and out all year round. Tuner School focuses its program in one area – high performance.
• Tuner School sets its own teaching agenda on what we feel is the most relevant information and skills training that students need to succeed.
• Tuner School is all about high-performance, auto technology, skills and systems.
• Tuner School graduates will be part of an elite group of alumni who go out into the industry.
• Tuner School will operate and conduct itself in an environment where students will be encouraged that integrity, character and professional conduct are just as important to their ultimate success as their tuning skills are.

International Students
We are now able to accept international students at this time. Please visit our International Students page for more information.