Financial Aid for Beauty Schools

If you have dreams of working as a cosmetologist, owning your own salon, or working as a stylist for celebrities, don’t let the cost of beauty school keep you from accomplishing those goals. Thinking about how much cosmetology school costs can feel overwhelming, but rest easy – student loans for cosmetology school are available.

Some people think that financial aid, grants, and scholarships are only for four-year colleges. However, nothing could be further from the truth. You have many options when it comes to financial aid for beauty schools.

Federal Financial Aid

Federal financial aid for beauty schools starts with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. The FAFSA is a form you complete online through a portal provided by the United States Department of Education. Most schools use the FAFSA to determine what financial aid to offer students, such as grants, work-study, and student loans. Many institutions also use data from the FAFSA to determine eligibility for scholarships given directly from the school.

The portal to complete the FAFSA opens each year on October 1 for the next academic year. For example, the portal opened on October 1, 2022, for the 2023-2024 school year.

Because financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, you want to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible once the portal opens. Also, take note that you should never pay to submit a FAFSA. The government portal for completing the process is https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Unfortunately, scammers have set up very similar sites, so make sure you are on the official government site.

Subsidized Loans

After you complete your FAFSA, you may be offered student loans to cover how much does cosmetology school cost. Those loans come in two varieties, subsidized and unsubsidized. A subsidized loan is preferable between the two; you qualify for it based on demonstrated financial need. With a subsidized loan, interest doesn’t accumulate on the loan while in school or during any period of deferment. During that time, the federal government covers the interest. Once you enter the repayment phase of your loan, interest begins to add up.

Unsubsidized Loans

Unsubsidized loans accrue interest starting as soon as the loan funds go out to the school. Interest continues to add up until the loan is paid in full. You don’t have to demonstrate financial need to qualify for an unsubsidized loan, as the government doesn’t contribute anything toward them. However, the interest rate is usually much lower than what is available through private lenders.

Federal Pell Grants

A federal Pell grant is a need-based form of financial aid. You may be offered this kind of grant if you are enrolled in an eligible program and your FAFSA shows that you qualify. Pell grants do not require repayment. The calculation includes your financial situation and how much does cosmetology school cost.

Scholarships

Beauty school scholarships are available from many sources to help you cover esthetician school costs. If you are finishing high school, your guidance counselor may be able to help you find scholarships for which you can apply. Most beauty schools also have financial aid counselors who know what is available. You can find online listings of scholarships from all over the country. Here are a few to consider:

• – Beauty Changes Lives is a scholarship program funded by some of the largest companies in the industry.
• – The Jeanette Rankin Foundation provides scholarships to women age 35 or older with demonstrated financial need.
• – Great Clips administers The Great Scholarship Program in memory of Alice Madden Barton.

You might also find scholarships within your local community. Check with the nearest affiliates of any corporations within the beauty industry, including cosmetics and hair care products. Many local businesses, civic organizations, and religious institutions have scholarship programs as well. Some local salons also offer scholarships in exchange for a commitment to work in the salon for a period of time after you graduate. These professionals understand the answers to “how much does beauty school cost?” and want to help you succeed while they recruit talented new cosmetologists to the business.

Where to Learn More About Paying for Beauty School

Though you do have to consider cosmetology school costs, finances shouldn’t keep you from achieving your dream of success in the beauty industry. At Aveda Institute Des Moines, we’re committed to helping our students establish themselves in a career they love. Aveda Cosmetology school costs are competitive and give you a top-notch education. If you are ready to take the next step, contact us and let us help you get started on getting beauty school costs covered.

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