Beauty School Grants
If it’s true that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” then American women are terribly concerned about their beholders. Despite the economic recession, women (and men) continue to flock to salons and spas for cosmetic services of one type or another. In this quest for perpetual youth and beauty, many consumers spend thousands of dollars per year on various cosmetic procedures.
So, why not cash in on this vanity craze? Why not become the person that provides grateful clients with beautifying treatments? Why not go to cosmetology school and start your career in the world of beauty?
Cosmetology School Costs
Of course, your first objection to this suggestion is likely the cost of attending cosmetology school. Indeed, the tuition and fees present a giant hurdle in the path to becoming a licensed cosmetologist. The cost for attending cosmetology school ranges from $3,000 to $10,000 depending on the geographic location and type of program in which you wish to enroll. At first glance, many students believe this financial obstacle to be insurmountable.
Steps to Financial Aid
However, you needn’t finance your entire education out of your own pocket. There are plentiful grants, scholarships, and loans available, many specific to the field of cosmetology. So, simply slow down, take a deep breath, and prepare to put in plenty of work filling out applications. The money is out there; you’ve just got to do the legwork to make your dreams a reality. Steps you will need to complete before attaining financial aid include:
- Decide upon a cosmetology school
- Gain admission to cosmetology school
- Apply for federal student aid
- Apply for financial aid via your cosmetology school
- Apply for private scholarships and grants
Decide Upon a Cosmetology School
So, the first step in this process is to decide upon a cosmetology school. Search for a cosmetology school near you on sites such as Beauty Schools directory, BeautySchool.com, or BeautySchools.edu. Keep in mind that beauty schools must pay to advertise on these sites; therefore some schools in your area may not appear on these sites. Another option is to look in your yellow pages or use a general search engine such as Google to find schools in your area.
Decide Upon a Branch of Cosmetology
Another factor in your school search is determining in which branch of cosmetology you’d like to practice. There are a variety of schools, which are based on cosmetology specialization. These include:
- Cosmetology School
- Esthetician School
- Nail Technician School
- Makeup School
- Barber School
- Massage School
- Aromatherapy School
- Reflexology School
- Laser and Electrolysis Classes
- Permanent Makeup Classes
Admission Requirements
Each school has varying admission requirements. These requirements include such criteria as minimum age, high school diploma, interview, and test scores. For example, the Modern Beauty School in Missoula, Montana requires applicants to be at least 17 years of age, have a high school diploma or GED, and submit a 500-word essay. Some (such as the nationwide network of Empire Beauty Schools) even have online application forms. Others require you to pick up an application in person.
Federal Student Aid
Once you have gained admission to a cosmetology school, it’s time to start applying for financial aid. Your first step should be to apply for federal student aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can find information on federal student aid programs as well as a FAFSA application at the FAFSA website. Federal aid programs include:
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant
- Academic Competitiveness Grant
- Federal Work-Study
- Federal Perkins Loan
- Federal Family Education Loan
- the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program
- PLUS Loan
School Financial Aid
After you have filled out your FAFSA and explored your options for federal aid, it is time to look to your cosmetology school for financial aid. Some, but not all, cosmetology schools offer various financial aid programs for their students. Some schools, such as Aveda Institutes, have a financial aid director on staff who will assist you in assembling your financial aid package. Other schools, such as the Paul Mitchell Corporate Schools, have certain requirements for maintaining continued financial aid. These requirements include being enrolled at least half time in a degree or certificate program as well as maintaining a record of satisfactory academic progress.
Private Financial Aid
Once you have covered your federal aid prospects as well as those from your cosmetology school, it’s wise to begin looking at private sources for financial aid. There are actually quite a few private scholarships created specifically for beauty students.
The Spa Foundation not only provides financial assistance to beauty, spa, and massage students; they also provide their recipients with life coaching in areas such as motivation and financial management. This scholarship comes with extra homework; monthly assignments and reports are required.
The National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers/Distributors & Associations provides $1,000 scholarships to esthetician students. Students must submit a 250-word typed essay with their application. Scholarship recipients must maintain an 80% attendance and 80% grade average.
The American Health and Beauty Aids Institute provides cosmetology scholarships in amounts of $250 and $500. Through its Fred Luster, Sr. Education foundation, nearly $500,000 in scholarships have been awarded.
OPI, through the Schaeffer Family Foundation, awards $500 to a different cosmetology student each month. Students must be enrolled or currently enrolling in an OPI preferred cosmetology school. The application requires a 1-2 page essay as well as a recommendation from someone within the beauty industry.
The American Association of Cosmetology Schools offers ACE Grants as well as Cosmetology Scholarships. These scholarships are sponsored by companies such as Sports Clips as well as private foundations such as the Pat Goins Memorial Foundation. Only students enrolled in AACS member schools are eligible to apply for these scholarships.
Great Clips sponsors the Alice Madden Barton Cosmetology School Scholarship Program. These scholarships are more flexible in that they can be used at any cosmetology or barbering school, and they are even open to high school students. They are given out twice a year.
The “Education Rocks” scholarship is available to beauty students in the amount of $250. Students are able to submit their application via an online form. The application does require two short answer questions.
The Joe Francis Haircare Scholarship Foundation awarded nineteen $1,000 scholarships in 2009. Cosmetology students are eligible for this scholarship, and a letter of recommendation is required with the student’s completed application.
Scholarships for Women
Other scholarships are not specific to the field of beauty but may be used towards the financial cost of attending beauty school. Particularly, there are many scholarships geared specifically toward women that may be applied toward beauty school.
The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation is named after the first woman of color to be elected to the US House of Representatives. Representative Mink was passionate about women’s rights and educational opportunities for mothers and children. The Foundation offers scholarships for low-income women with children who are hoping to further their education. The Foundation awarded five $2,000 scholarships in 2009 alone. Applicants can apply between May 1, 2010 and July 1, 2010.
The Soroptimist International of the Americas is an international organization devoting to assisting and empowering women. The word soroptimist means “best for women” and the organization helps women achieve a better future. Each year the organization gives away more than one million dollars to offset educational expenses for needy women. Eligible women are those that provide the primary income for their families.
The Women’s Independence Scholarship Fund offers scholarships to women who have suffered domestic partner abuse as well as to those who work in the field of domestic violence. Applicants must meet certain requirements including being accepted into an accredited course of study and having a career plan.
The Jeanette Rankin Foundation is named after the first woman to be elected to the United States Congress. In the thirty years since its inception, the Foundation has awarded over $1.3 million in scholarships to more than 600 women. Scholarships are awarded to low-income women who are over the age of 35. Applications are available now for the 2010 school year, and completed applications must be postmarked by March 1, 2010.
With so many financial aid options, available, what are you waiting for? The money is out there; use it to better your future! A career in beauty can be yours if you just put in the hard work to make it happen.
Beauty School Grants,
I am interested in scholarships in the field of cosmetology. I am attending Empire school of cosmetology in Green Bay, WIS..
I am very interested , happy to go back to school , love they beauty, school that am, intend now, Hair Design ins. in west palm , i wanted to do better for my family , amd myself as well, and give back to they community…. thanks again # 561-503-1856..
Hello my name is kendra white. And to apply for empire beauty school. and i been on my own for a longtime. if you need to reach me @(404)9571574
I am from India, I cum from a rural place. I am intrested in a beauty spa salon bussiness, I work for rural widows as wel, with improving & expanding my bussiness I will be able to support my family & my rural widows. I pray you could help. Thank You. 02185-226555.
Iam interested in scholarship in the fieild of cosmetology.
Iam attending Delgado Community Technical College Louisiana
I am interested in a Grant to go to beauty school.
I am interested in a cosmetology scholarship. I am looking to start night school in January of 2012, and greatly do I need the help. My daughter is 1 year old and I would love to get my career started. You can reach me at 208.870.5572 or at jade.kogel@gmail.com
I am interested in a grant to go to a beauty and cosmetology school.
Am seeking the opportunity to pursue an interesting and diverse career which i has been my passion and a hobby but never got the chance to attend an esthetics college due to lack of funds.I found a school International Academy of Esthetics and looking for a scholarship towards attending march 2012 diploma classes.I am aiming to develop skills that will lead towards professional and excellent services. Am fully committed towards the overall objectives of the field and making a difference in persons well being.please help me.
Thank you.
email is – mrskabue@gmail.com or 1-780-240-7734
I am looking for a scholarship or grant to help pay for nail tech school,this has been my hobby for a couple of years now and i would love the chance to go to school to do this for a living.
I have been interested in becoming a hairstylist for 10 plus years. I am nearly 40 years old, never married and no children. I am tired of dead end jobs and struggling to survive independently. I am determined to attend cosmetology school and will do whatever it takes to make this dream a reality. I believe that with desire, determination, and dedication, all things are possible in life. My only set back is the financial ability to pay for my schooling. I would be incredibly grateful for any advice or help this website can provide. Sincerely, Genny Lord
I am looking for a grant so I can Attend Empire Beauty School for cosmetology in Laconia, NH..
I so want to do this and have wanted to for many years. Please if some one could help me..
I’m 18 years old I got accepted to JZ trend academy a Paul Mitchell partner school and start school on April 9th. I have a scholarship that covers my tuition but have no money for housing expenses. My parents haven’t supported me for about 2 years now I really want to go to school because I will be the first in my family to co to college. Thank you for taking your time to read this.
I am very interested in a beauty college grant and/or scholarship
Hello, I am 24 years of age. I was raised by my dad but he passed about a year ago so I recently moved with my cousin to San Diego, ca. I am looking to better my life and be able to support myself by applying myself in beauty school to start a career. I have always loved makeup and hair. I do my friends hair cut and dye, even though I love the expirience I would love to be licensed to be able to charge for it. I am extrememly excited to start cosmetology school Im just a little hesitant because it is so expensive. Even with financial aid assistance I still have to pay a lot from my own pocket. I am new to San Diego and I am currently looking for work and have had no luck. I need to go to school so I can start a career. I am determined to get what I want I just need the assistance. Please, please help. Thank you. Sincerely, Eva (408)394-1092
DOES ANYONE HAVE INFO ON ANY SCHOLARSHIPS OR GRANTS FOR BARBERING SCHOOLS. I want to become a barber and I live in the GA area a very small town. The one place that is offering this trade is a school that does not except any type of finiacial aide or assistance. He doesnt except any type of federal grants neither. The price of the tution is 5000 of pocket. If you have any idea on how to help me please help me please!!!!!!!!!! thanks in advance….
contact me please knnice84@yahoo.com with any helpful information please
This info is bystander help for my daughter, just interested in scholarships and grants she may appply for. She in hair school.
hello, my name is chelsea. I start cosmetology school in August of next month. I have two daughters and low income. I need all the help i can get if anyone knows how to get any scholarships or other kinds of grants, please let me know. Appreciate you, thanks. 317-550-6595
I am 19 years old and start beauty school October 3 2012. Im a single parent and have two child. I have two girl a 2 year old and a 2 month old. I am a job and only make 7.25 so I need some help. I am trying to get a grant for cosmetology or win a scholarship please contact me at 2053040848! Thanks so much I could use all the help I can get.
Hi I am I 26 year that has just enrolled in beauty school. I am interested in some type of help. I am a full time student with four kids. My husband works but I am un able to find a job that goes with my schdule..can u help
meganrucker46@yahoo.com
Greetings,
I am a 29 year old interested in furthering my education in the field of cosmetology at the Paul Mitchell school in Chicago. I breath and live for all things beauty for makeup, hair, nails to fashion. My ultimate goals are to be a well known successful Makeup Artist & Hair stylist in the Fashion world. I having already started working toward my goals, however, I would like to become more educate. Here is a look at my profolio/ website http://www.nickakairhon.com.
I am a stay at mom of three wonderful boys.. I am looking into cosmetology as a career for me, because I love to work on my nails and would enjoy doing it for others. I have a child that has autism and a full time job would be a hard thing for me to keep as I need to be home with my son when he returns from school. With Cosmetology I would be able to set appointments that would work around my son. I am very creative and have a passion for making things beautiful.
We’ll ,I’m looking for some to do instead staying home get far. So ,I ready to go back to beauty school to get that paper with my name on it to let me know that, I can say, I didn’t drop out of school and finish for the first time,I be glad to make it to do something with my life then to say on my butt all the time and not do nothing at all. I really would thank you for helping me if you can and if you can’t, I would understand if you can’t help me thank you for very thing.
my name is amber 34 years old mother of six ive been learning how to do some hair on my own I love doing it and now I want to go to school for it but dont have the money to make it happen if any one knows how to ge grants and can heLP olease share the knolage
HELLO,im a 23 yrold female seeking assistance ,getting assistance with my cosmotology career would mean the would to me!Cosmetology will not only changee my life but my moms aswell , this trade will give me the tool i need to freelance ,network,make great money and make people feel great about thems selves all at once ,I unfortunately am unemployed at moment and staying in a single parent home with the income of a disibility check ,My tuition is high but well worth iot ,my school offers training in over 4 areas of cosmotology such as ,barbor,make up,skin care ,nails aswell as advanced training , Im so eager to branch out and learn and do what truely makes not only myself but my future clients happy .,any contribution will be greatly appreciated .chlesewilliams@rocketmail.com feel free to email me on other great sites ,or on assisant in helping me have a successful school yr…….THANK YOU
My name is juliana Dede ,ican make hair nd do little of makeup,so now I went to take it other level,plsss I need these career plss
I am 35 married with 3 teenage children. Since my youth the beauty industry has been my passion. At 17 I received my manicuring license before graduating high school. Over the years I have let many people talk me out of my dream, but I can no longer do that. This is my passion and my dream and I just need a little help and encouragement getting there. any info on grants and or scholarships I would appreciate it. I have done everything everybody else thought I should do even wasted time on becoming a medical assistant although im already a nurse assistant (LOL). NOTHING will stop me now!!!!
HELLO! 🙂
I am a 17 year old graduating senior. I plan on making a move from MD-CO springs in late 2015, early 2016. I am hard working, aspiring intellectual. My mother is a licensed cosmetologist and I have taken the time to get her books and start teaching myself lesson by lesson. One day I hope to have my own products, be on stage at hair shows, and own my own salon. I have thought about the possibility of opening a salon especially for special needs children and adults. Please email me at shelba.clover@gmail.com THANK YOU
I am going to be 50 years old may 16, 2015. I had neck surgery so I can’t do physical labor anymore. I have always been in the restaurant field for over 30 years and now Iam forced to retire from it. So I want to go to nail tech school on leavenworth street in Omaha ne .It cost 3000.00 up front which I do not have . I haven’t been able to work these last few years and i am single.My goal is too have my own salon and catered to the women in my county. Right now they have to travel to the city which takes 30 to 40 min. to get there. have always been artistic and love to make women look pretty ! I know I will succeed in this field because I am dedicated , hard working and I have to work and my options without school leave me nothing. I have tried to apply for jobs but with no experience noone will take a chance on me. I just need someone to believe in me! Thank you in advance! Deedee P.S. you can contact me on e-mail @ daiseyde65@gmail.com
I am a woman aged 27 and as of now I do my small business. I opened a saloon but I don’t earn enough for my livings so I would like of you can help me with to learn ať your school so that I can have some other skills that can help me in life I will be so grad. Thank you in advance you can contact me @ nancymtawaira@yahoo.com.
Hello. My name is Kassie Foley. I would like to attend cosmetology school to start a career in the modelling and beauty industry. I am young as of now but, I feel starting early and understanding what happens behind the curtain, before the run way. I don’t come from a family that would have the financial means to seen me through school. I make very good grades, and intend on finishing high school but, I also would like to start my edu action to meet my dreams. Please if someone could help me by directing me in the right direction for financial and schooling please contact me or my custodian Ms. Countryman I would be very greatful, Thank you for taking the time to read about my dreams. 1-386-330-6549
Hallo I’m interested in beauty grants,I’m 21 years old I did not finish school coz my family ,I mean my brothers rushed me into marriage at a young age and now with so many different problems that I’m facing in my life,I wish to go back to school or to do beauty lessons,so that I can create a better future for me and my family
I need scholarship for school
I am interested in Grants for Cosmetology School Only. It has always been my dream to go to school so I can own my own salon. I would love to go to school so I can better my skills and learn everything I need to know about hair, but unfortunately I cannot afford to go without some financial assistance. Hopefully, someone can help me with information. Thank you in advance.
Hello, My name is Eniyah Reed, I am 16 years old and have taught myself how to do nails. This has been my passion since I was in the 3rd grade. I have a lot of clients who come to me and even adults. They know I am not licensed and consider this just practice but they love my work… I want to continue learning since I completed 2 years of cosmetology courses at my high school. I want be the first youngest Nail tech in my area.I have over 5,000 followers on instagram. I know I have to wait to graduate but I want start working on my passion now.My mom can not afford to pay for school for me, she has a medical problem. My Dad has not been in my life since I was in second grade.
Hi there,
I am about to turn 40 and have recently discovered the joy I can spread in being an esthetician. I have been in the service industry for over 20 years and am ready to move to something that adds positivity to the world. I love making people feel good about themselves! I would be so grateful to go to school to get licensed, but am a bit short. Can someone help me with finding a grant or scholarship please? My email is ljregan3@gmail.com. Thank you!
Hello!
My name is Michelle Elizondo. I’m 26 years old and I have such a passion for art and customer service. I’ve worked in customer service since I was 19 and I absolutely love meeting new people. I always try to stay positive and uplift others especially women.
I recently decided to attend school to become a manicurist. It would combine my two passions, art and customer service. I truly feel the care and creativity that I will pour into my service will definitely impact any and all clients that I have the honor of working with.
Currently I am working two jobs to save up for tuition being that California FFA doesn’t cover the local programs because they are less than 600 hrs. I would greatly appreciate the consideration for an investment in my career and the goal I have to impact the beauty world with positivity and gorgeous nails. If I qualify for a grant please don’t hesitate to contact me at my personal email address: elizondo_michelle17@yahoo.com
Michelle Elizondo
Future Manicurist