You have decided to go to beauty school. Maybe you just graduated from high school, or you are trying to find a new career. The simple fact remains: you’ve determined that you are ready to take the reigns and do something about it. The next obvious question, aside from where to study, is where the cash will come from.
Whether you would like to reduce hair or be capable of offering a variety of salon services, getting to that area will be expensive, no matter where you go. Cosmetology school can cost anywhere from $6,000 to triple that cost, or more, depending upon the faculty and which region of the country in which you decide to study. In our current market, that sounds frightening. There is many different choices at your fingertips. You simply need to know how and where to see them.
Where do I Go Today?
“Where do I go now?” Is the question you’re most likely asking. This guide is provided in order to direct you in the practice of making the first crucial steps to fund your education. With just a little work, a chance to do your fantasies in the beauty industry is just within your reach.
- Government Aid
To start with, you are going to need to be certain you know where you plan to receive your education. There are lots of accredited beauty and cosmetology schools around the U.S.
Most cosmetology colleges are accredited by an organization Called The National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (also known as the NACCAS). The NACCAS is situated in Alexandria, Virginia, and accredits around 1,100 schools nationally. Simply put, schools licensed by the NACCAS are known by the federal government, thus allowing students to attend these schools to qualify for federal government financial help.
Therefore, knowing that you are planning to study with one of these myriad schools is the best place to start. As soon as you know your educational program is licensed, you will want to fill out and submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This document may be found online. Your institution of selection must also have a paper backup they could make available for you in their own financial aid office. You will need to fill it out and apply it to the federal government for inspection.
What the Federal Government Offers
So now you are probably asking, “Okay, so that sounds great, but can I really expect money from the government for beauty school, though it’s not a typical college or university?” Well, the answer to just how much exactly depends on your (or your parents’, if you’re still a dependent) current financial status, but the easy answer is, “Yes.”
The authorities will ask you (through the FAFSA form) to provide your family’s financial information, and depending on your status, you may well qualify for grants. Grants are financial gifts that don’t require re-payment.
A General Description of Federal Government Grants
There are a few government grants which you can anticipate to be considered for when you complete a FAFSA. They include:
- Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to students based upon financial need. If you are granted a Pell Grant, the government will pay your educational establishment, which will subsequently forward any money left over out of your tuition fees to you personally, usable at your discretion for other college-related and living expenses. Your school will then inform you of your benefit in writing.
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant can also be fiscally established, but for undergraduate students with, “exceptional financial need,” in accordance with the national student financial aid website.
- Federal Work-Study
The Federal Work-Study program is a program in which students earn educational funds through part-time jobs (approximately 10 to 15 hours a week) in their school. Keep in mind that the hours are allocated to every student in keeping with the amount of financial aid which has been given. Each school is allocated a certain amount for FWS each year, and it’s up to administrators to use this funding to students as they see fit.
Additional information related to these grant programs could be found in the national student aid site. Be aware that, when it comes to being accepted for federal grants, it is ideal to apply as soon as possible so as to receive the best service if you are in need.
Now that you have an understanding of what type of government grants can be found, you get a fantastic base knowledge of the place to start searching to fund your educational expenses. But even if you qualify for government help, it probably will not cover everything for tuition, books, and living expenses (such as meals, rent, car, clothing, etc.), not to mention what else is on your personal plate.
While any government helps you receive will certainly be helpful, that’s just the beginning. There are myriad different avenues to fund your certificate too.
Other Kinds of Scholarships and Grants
There are numerous organizations and foundations that offer scholarships to those looking for a career in the beauty industry. Once you’ve selected where to attain your schooling, and assessed all your options with the authorities as well as your college, the next step is to start looking in the personal sector. Believe it or not, there are countless promising possibilities.
- ACE
The ACE (Access to Cosmetology Education) Grant was made by the American Association of Cosmetology Schools, and partners with sponsors to offer grants to working adults who desire to earn a cosmetology license. A total of $1,000 grants are awarded annually. For more information.
- National Coalition of Estheticians
The NCEA (National Coalition of Estheticians) Scholarship is awarded to students while they’re currently in school to get an esthetician program. The scholarship is intended for pupils to exhibit a top-quality performance, in addition to financial need.
In order to apply, students will need to write a 250-word essay describing why they feel that they meet the fiscal requirements of the scholarship, as well as an expression of their own desire to become an esthetician.
OPI offers six scholarships, using a sum of $500 per year, to students attending AACS member colleges, via the Schaeffer Family Foundation. The student must compose a one to two-page essay discussing why they’ve selected a career in the beauty industry, as well as how they see nail maintenance as an important part of their vocation. An industry recommendation must also be filed as part of this scholarship program.
- Alice Madden Barton Cosmetology School Scholarship
Anyone who occupies zeal, and exhibits giftedness in cosmetology, in addition to a desire to expand their skills within the field may use. The scholarships are talented in January and July of each year, and could possibly be used for any cosmetology or barbering college.
The Joe Francis Haircare Scholarship Foundation provides scholarships to newly employing or current cosmetology or barbering students only. It is essential to be aware that current students who will be graduating between January 1st and August 31st of the present year are not eligible.
Required along with the completed program are: 1 or 2 letters of recommendation, as well as a one to two page essay outlining financial need, family history, and also why that the applicant has for entering the field of cosmetology.
- Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation
The Andrew Gomez Fantasy Foundation is sponsored by Paul Mitchell. When it’s the gift of a 3-day convention or a visit to the New York fashion show, this scholarship is available to students and new professionals, with the objective of bettering postsecondary experiences and educational opportunities.
Education Foundation. The Fred Luster, Sr. Foundation was started in honor of the late founding board member of AHBAI, as well as the founder of Luster Products, Inc. Cosmetology students that win the scholarship will receive $250, for a total of $5,000 given in scholarships altogether.
Students must have an 85 percent or greater grade point average in their respective cosmetology programs, and have completed at least 300 hours. Other regions of interest associated with the scholarship are additional-curricular activities, attendance records, and competitions engaged in by the pupil.
- Scholarships for Female Students
The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation provides five Education Support awards in the amount of $2000 each in 2011.
Patsy Takemoto Mink was the first woman of color to be elected to the United States House of Representatives, also was well known during her career for her tireless efforts on behalf of low income and under-educated women, particularly those with kids (among further labors on behalf of the civil rights movement and other justice searching efforts). The award is given to low-income moms that are pursuing education or some sort of job training.
- Soroptomist Women’s Opportunity
The Soroptomist (meaning’best for women’) Women’s Opportunity is a global scholarship available to girls all around the world. The organization’s objective is to encourage women in need. The scholarships are specially designed for girls whose families rely on them to be the sole financial provider; hence for these women education and other types of skilled occupation training is a must. Women receiving these scholarships may rely on them for any costs that might encourage their education.
- Women’s Independence Scholarship Program
The Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (a.k.a. WISP) was made at the turn of this century as a way to support women coming from abusive’intimate partner relationships’ (wispinc.org). The student seeks to assist those girls in the most despairing of economic circumstances — particularly those with kids who have nowhere else to turn and that have a dire need to acquire an education or some kind of job-worthy training.
The woman must also have applied (and been accepted to) or be in the procedure of applying to an accredited program of research.
- Jeanette Rankin Women’s Scholarship
The Jeanette Rankin Women’s Scholarship fund is meant for low income (according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Lower Living Standard) girls over age 35. She has to be enrolled in or accepted to an accredited college.
- Miscellaneous Organizations to Research
A final area of consideration when searching out scholarships and grants for a cosmetology licensing program is national organizations with local chapters. Keep in mind that most of these groups provide scholarships on a national level, even though they are typically seeking students with the desire to attend at least a four-year college.
Conversely, it’s likely that contacting the regional chapter of groups such as Kiwanis, Moose Lodges, Lyons Clubs, or even the Elk or Rotary Clubs, could be well worth the time and effort spent contacting. Some of these organizations in your hometown (or a neighboring community) could perhaps be willing to provide help to pupils with an aspiration for cosmetology college and other sorts of trade schools.
One thing to remember when looking at this kind or group is they typically give money to students attending accredited colleges. This may or might not be an issue, but if you ensure your institution is accredited, you will know you’re one step closer to your objective. In the long run, remember that it never hurts to ask, and you’ll never know if you don’t find out on your own.
Many Beauty School Grant Options Available
As you can see, for such an exciting and thriving field, there are many unique prospects in the entire world of cosmetology. Don’t allow the day to day burdens of lifestyle prevent you from chasing your lifetime dreams. Take good care of this knowledge you have acquired, and seek out these countless options in order to finance your continuing education for the enhancement of your (and your family’s) future!
