Are you finding the cost of cosmetology school to be unaffordable? Then gather here as I walk you through ways you can go to cosmetology school without spending a dime out of your pocket.
Before I started writing on this topic, the first thing I Googled was the cost of cosmetology schools and the results were shocking. I honestly was not expecting cosmetology school to cost between $5,000 to $20,000 but it is what it is. Although I’ve written and published a couple of articles related to the topic like cosmetology schools in Chicago and Tennessee I didn’t quite go into the tuition aspect which made this cost come as a shock to me.
For those who do not know, a cosmetology school is where individuals are trained in the art of improving the appearance of a client’s face, hair, nails, or skin using make-up and beauty treatments. They are also known as beauty schools. Graduates of cosmetology schools can work in the beauty, fashion, and entertainment industries.
There are many opportunities within this field, you can meet, as well as work, with fashion icons, artists, and actors/actresses. It is a skill that will forever be in demand because humans have always been known for improving the way they look ever since the beginning. It is a fast-paced field, and trends come and go quickly but to stay relevant in the industry and keep earning, you need to keep improving on your skills and jumping on trends.
This is why interested individuals should consider attending a cosmetology school to learn how to identify new trends and how to jump on them or can engage in online beauty courses to sharpen skills and learn trending techniques.
The beauty industry is an exciting one with fulfilling careers and many opportunities. If it interests you, don’t let the cost discourage you. In this blog post, I will guide you on how to go to cosmetology school for free and how to get in too. Let’s dive in.
How To Go To Cosmetology School For Free
Yes, you can attend cosmetology school for free thanks to scholarships and other financial aid opportunities. The perk of scholarships is that you won’t ever have to pay back thus there will be nothing like accumulated student debt on you when you graduate.
The scholarship is the way to go for those who want to attend cosmetology school but cannot afford it. There is a wide range of beauty school scholarships and you get to apply for as many as possible. The more the better which makes your cosmetology education more affordable.
Aside from cosmetology scholarships, you can also apply for typical scholarships that support students’ education irrespective of the academic program they want to study. But then, scholarships like these are usually very competitive so, you have to build an extra stunning application to be considered.
However, the scholarships tailored specifically for cosmetology students aren’t that competitive because the only people applying for them are cosmetology students and they are like a handful compared to students from all other academic fields. But still, it is important that you build a stunning application to beat the competition. You may also apply for esthetician scholarships as well.
There are different types of scholarships offered at different times of the year. There are partially-funded and fully-funded scholarships for beauty schools and they can be offered based on financial need, merit-based, or both. Some beauty scholarships are available in the winter and some are available in the summer.
Cosmetology and beauty schools offer scholarships to help aspiring students who can’t afford education fulfill their dreams without breaking the bank. An example of a beauty school offering scholarships is Avalon Institute, there are also many others.
Now, because these scholarships come from different beauty schools their eligibility requirements and criteria differ which applicants must meet to be considered for the award. Although application requirements slightly differ, the following are what you will need:
- A written essay
- Video submission
- Portfolio or photo album
- High school diploma certificate or transcript
- Birth certificate
Now, some scholarships may require proof that you are enrolled in a school or about to enroll. So, you have to be within one of these positions when applying for a beauty school scholarship.
Another way to go to cosmetology school for free is to apply for FAFSA which stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is basically a form that you fill out if you qualify for financial aid. If you do get the financial aid, you can apply it towards your cosmetology education and you do not have to pay back the money unless you drop out of the program.
FAFSA offers you grants which can come from the federal or state government, it is one of the best ways to get free money towards achieving your academic goals.
And for the final option which many people don’t really look at is taking free online beauty courses or free online beauty courses. The good thing about these courses is that they are offered by top beauty schools and cosmetologists completely for free and since it is online, you get to learn from the comfort of your home saving you the cost of transport.
You can keep taking different cosmetology, esthetician, or beauty courses online to sharpen and advance your skills absolutely for free and gradually break into the industry. The courses also come with a certification which can either be free or paid depending on the platform or institution offering the courses online. But whatever the case may be, it is best you get the certification because it is the only way you can prove to clients/employers that you do have the skill.
Free online cosmetology courses will equip you with as much skill and technique as the traditional brick-and-mortar cosmetology school. And they fit all experience levels.
Conclusion
To recap, this blog post provides three different ways to go to cosmetology school for free. The first is to apply for scholarships especially related to cosmetology, esthetician, or beauty programs or schools. The second option to go to cosmetology school for free is to apply for FAFSA which is a non-repayable grant provided by the federal or state government to students who want to enroll in or are already enrolled in an academic program.
The third and last way is to enroll for free online cosmetology, beauty, or esthetician courses and learn from the comfort of your home. Examples of platforms where you can find free online cosmetology courses are Alison and Coursera, you can find cheaper options on Udemy and edX.
How To Go To Cosmetology School For Free – FAQs
How much does it cost to go to school for cosmetology?
The total cost of an accredited cosmetology school is about $5,000 to $20,000 depending on the qualification you’d like to go for.
How many years does it take to become a cosmetologist?
It can take 4 to 5 years to fully become a cosmetologist, completing your training and getting licensed.