Cosmetologists are responsible for making the world a bit more beautiful? If you have a strong passion for becoming a cosmetologist, you can always decide to enroll in a cosmetology course and receive the required training. However, you may need to think twice when it comes to paying for school. Don't worry. Students should never feel discouraged to pursue their dream career only because they find it tough to bear the college expenses. Student loans are not the only options to help you pay for cosmetology school.
To encourage students pursue their dream career in cosmetology, various organizations and associations have come up to provide scholarships to students. There are various resources that offer cosmetology scholarships to students. Listed below are some of the most useful scholarship programs targeted at helping cosmetology students pay for college.
NCA Sally Beauty Scholarships
The National Cosmetology Association (NCA) has proved to a great resource for cosmetology students to get financial assistance. The association stands for the aspirations of the entire professional salon industry. NCA has the privilege of being the largest association of salon professionals including hairdressers, salon owners, nail technicians and estheticians among others. The NCA awards ten cosmetology students scholarships, each worth $1,000. The scholarships are provided to students in the following categories.
Five scholarships for high school graduates aspiring to pursue cosmetology
Three scholarships to NCA members for continuing cosmetology education
Two scholarships are reserved for the children (or grand children) of those who hold NCA membership
Cosmetology Education Scholarship Programs
Students are eligible to apply for these scholarships if they get enrolled in a cosmetology school which is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). Under this scholarship program a financial award of $1,000 is given to one recipient from each member school every year. Students who apply for this scholarship award must be at least midway through their cosmetology training program. Other eligibility criteria include at least 80% attendance and 80% grade average, in addition to proving their financial need.
Joe Francis Haircare Scholarships
The passing away of Joe Francis was a great loss to the entire beauty industry. Joe was an excellent supporter of cosmetologists and the benefits that latter should be entitled to, as compared to other occupational careers. The scholarship foundation was set up in the year 1994, when Joe passed away. The prime goal of this foundation is to provide free scholarship money to needy cosmetology students. Under this scholarship program, nineteen scholarships (each worth $1,000) are awarded to students getting enrolled in cosmetology schools. The free money is awarded to students in the month of August every year.
NCEA Esthetician Scholarships
This is yet another great scholarship resource for students of cosmetology. To be able to win these awards, each of which is worth $1,000, you need to have academic talent as well as the need to get financial assistance. To prove their financial eligibility, students are asked to write a 250-word essay also speaking about their aspirations to become a cosmetologist. These scholarships are awarded to students who have already enrolled in a cosmetology school and begun attending classes. Other criteria for this cosmetology student scholarship include 80% attendance and 80% grade average. Application deadlines may vary.
Oregon Barbers and Hairdressers Grant Program
Only those who are residents of Oregon will be eligible to apply for this scholarship program. Eligible applicants include those that have either enrolled or will enroll in a licensed barbering school, hair design school or cosmetology school. Students need to prove their financial need for receiving these cosmetology school scholarships.
