Cosmetology scholarships can make it affordable to start a rewarding career in the beauty industry. Cosmetology school teaches students how to apply beauty treatments to skin, hair, and nails. Standard programs include hairstyling, cutting, coloring, skincare basics, and making nails look beautiful.
However, pursuing a degree in cosmetology isn’t cheap. The average cost of tuition fees in an accredited cosmetology school is between $5,000 and $15,000. Depending on the specialties you choose, the price could be even more. And tuition fees don’t include the cost of books and any hands-on tools you need — scissors, gels, shampoos, and lotions.
Apply and Save Money
Getting cosmetology scholarships can pay for most of the costs associated with your education. Scholarships for cosmetology programs can go towards tuition, equipment, books, and day-to-day living expenses. Even if you qualify for a grant to attend a vocational school, scholarships can significantly reduce the cost of cosmetology school.
Some of the best cosmetology scholarships are the “Beauty Changes Lives Scholarship,” “Ulta Beauty Scholarship,” “Sally Beauty Scholarship,” “Mac Makeup Scholarship,” and “Great Clips Scholarship.”
Do you want to get a high-paying job in cosmetology? This article discusses the best cosmetology scholarships that can help you start a lucrative career in beauty.
Cosmetology Scholarships: The 411
Scholarships for cosmetology school help pay for all related education expenses. Depending on the scholarship, money can be awarded based on financial need, abilities, grades, or a passion for the beauty industry. There are even scholarships without a GPA or essay requirement.
Some cosmetology scholarships are limited to a particular program. Others are general scholarships for any student enrolled in beauty school.
To apply for a cosmetology scholarship, you generally need to prove acceptance or enrollment in an accredited cosmetology school.
The Best Cosmetology Scholarships to Attend Beauty School
Do you want to know where to get free money to attend cosmetology school? Here are the top nine scholarships for anyone passionate about getting a career in cosmetology.
1. Beauty Changes Lives Scholarship
Beauty Changes Lives awards scholarships to cosmetology students and professional beauticians. Over the years, Beauty Changes Lives has given over 600 scholarships worth more than $3 million to budding beauticians, hairstylists, and skincare experts. Scholarships are available for cosmetology programs, including esthetics, nail, makeup, massage, and hairstyling.
To apply for the scholarship, you must write an essay and upload a video, storyboard, or creative images.
Beauty Changes Lives scholarships range from $2,500 up to $5,000.
2. Sally Beauty Scholarship
The Sally Beauty Scholarship gives money to students in cosmetology school. In total, there are thirteen scholarships up for grabs to help aspiring students fulfill their dreams of a career in cosmetology. To qualify for a Sally Beauty scholarship, you need at least a high school diploma or GED.
There are seven scholarships worth $1,000 and five that are worth $500 towards cosmetology school tuition.
3. Great Clips Scholarship
Great Clips is a national salon chain that sponsors scholarships in the Alice Madden Barton program. Every year Great Clips scholarships give out over $100,000 in money and professional tools. The money awarded can help anyone who is pursuing a career in barbering or cosmetology.
Awards are given twice a year and are worth between $250 and $1,500 to successful applicants.
4. Ulta Beauty Scholarship
The Ulta Beauty Scholarship awards money to cosmetology students who are enrolled in esthetics or cosmetology programs. Ulta Beauty is a leading retailer of beauty products. The scholarship program helps many students graduate every year and go on to enjoy successful careers in salons and the beauty industry.
To apply for the Ultra Beauty Scholarship, you need to have a high school diploma and attend an interview. Every year five scholarships of $1,000 are awarded to students.
Related reading: Top tips to win scholarships.
5. Mac Makeup Scholarships
The Avalon School of Cosmetology offers students free financial aid to study makeup artistry, cosmetology, and esthetics. Many graduates of this cosmetology school enjoy successful careers as hairstylists, manicurists, salon managers, or styling consultants. Advanced courses also teach about all aspects of skincare procedures.
According to available figures, over 60 percent of students at Avalon School of Cosmetology get scholarships. The average scholarship amount is nearly $4,000.
Related reading: Top tips to become a successful cosmetologist.
6. Empire Beauty School Scholarships
Empire Beauty School provides thousands of dollars in scholarship money every year. Around 100 scholarships are awarded to students, and each scholarship is worth up to $1,000.
All you need to do for free education money is to enroll in an Empire Beauty School and apply for the scholarship. To be eligible for the $1,000 scholarship, you should have at least 90 percent cumulative attendance.
7. Aveda Institutes Scholarships
Aveda Institutes operates cosmetology schools thought the country. To help students graduate, scholarships and other forms of financial aid are awarded. There are two scholarships you can learn about on their website. One is the Horst Rechelbacher Scholarship worth $10,000, and the other is the Brilliant Future Scholarship worth $1,000.
Related reading: How to reduce the cost of going to college.
8. Keller Barber and Beauty Scholarship
If you want to be a hairstylist or barber, you can apply for the Keller Barber and Beauty Scholarship. The cosmetology school awards $1,000 to help a barber or cosmetology student complete their education. To apply, you must fill in an application and submit a creative YouTube video.
9. Virginia Ames Cosmetology Scholarship
Highland Community College offers the Virginia Ames Cosmetology Scholarship. To apply for free college money, you should be a full-time student and majoring in cosmetology. There is no GPA if you want to apply for the scholarship. But applicants must write an essay about their educational goals. The amount each award is worth varies from student to student.
Top Cosmetology Scholarships: Start Applying Today
Getting a cosmetology scholarship can start you on your path to a successful career in the beauty industry. Typically, it takes two years to complete cosmetology programs. If you graduate from a cosmetology school, you enjoy rewarding work in film and theater, the fashion industry, spas, hotels, and beauty salons.