Scholarships for Beauty School

WRITTEN BY Sarah Mattie | EDITED BY Emily Courtney | UPDATED ON 09/16/2024

As you've gone through school, you've probably heard all about scholarships for traditional college degree programs. But did you know scholarships are available for beauty school as well? When you're figuring out how to pay for your beauty program, you should look for scholarship opportunities in addition to loans and grants.

After all, what's better than free money?

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Understanding Beauty School Scholarships

Scholarships provide money for education that doesn't need to be paid back. Scholarships can be based on merit, need, unique skills, background, or a combination of factors.

Beauty schools, colleges, and vocational schools are common sources for cosmetology scholarships. Scholarships are also awarded by corporations and businesses closely linked to the beauty industry.

Scholarships can be one-time payments or renewable or paid out in installments.

Scholarships may help new or currently enrolled students pay for cosmetology school, but some are also available for already licensed cosmetologists. Licensed professionals can return to school for continuing education, including topics like esthetics programs, laser hair removal, tattoo removal, and microneedling.

Where to Find Scholarships for Beauty Programs

When looking for scholarships for beauty programs, you have a few options:

  1. Use our list below, which only includes scholarships available to beauty students nationwide. We even have our Beauty Schools Directory $2,500 Beauty & Wellness Professionals Scholarship, and we'd love to read your application!
  2. Talk to your chosen beauty school about their in-house scholarship opportunities.
  3. If you're in high school, talk to your school counselor about options.
  4. Search the internet for scholarships for your chosen beauty program in your area. Some are only available to students in particular states.

How to Win Beauty Scholarships

Although the application process for cosmetology scholarships can feel a bit overwhelming, the most important thing you can do is to keep calm and get organized.

Scholarship application requirements really vary. However, a standard scholarship application may require at least some of the following:

  • Your name and contact information
  • Citizenship or legal residency evidence
  • Financial information (tax returns, for instance)
  • School transcripts
  • A list of activities, memberships, and skills
  • An essay or video about yourself
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Willingness to have your information and image used in advertising or media
  • The ability to participate in an interview (phone, video, or in person)

When you begin your applications, collect all the necessary paperwork and keep it in one place like a folder or notebook. As you fill out a scholarship application, you need to make sure you have all information handy, be very careful to follow all instructions, and ensure you're using correct grammar and spelling. Many scholarships have a ton of applicants, and when all else is equal, something as simple as an accidentally skipped question or even a typo could result in you losing out.

Apart from following the rules of what’s posted in the scholarship application instructions, scholarship committees want to know that you have a strong reason to pursue your program of choice.

If there is a personal statement or essay component, take the time to craft a compelling narrative to explain your desired beauty program and what you plan to do in the future after you’ve gone to beauty school. This is where you can let your personality shine. Write your essay in a natural way and include your own ideas.

Each application will have its own writing prompt, but here are some questions to get you thinking about your future beauty career:

  • Why do you want to be a beauty professional?
  • Why do you think it is a valuable career?
  • Which beauty school did you choose and why?
  • Why are you the right student to receive a scholarship?
  • What are your plans after beauty school?

Once you've written your essay, check for some common mistakes:

Not being fully honest about your skills

Personal statements are an opportunity to highlight your accomplishments. But you need to find that fine line between not being modest and overdoing it.

For example, let's say you are proud of your hair braiding background. You've done it for six years and have a nice portfolio. However, you're self-trained and have never been paid for this.

What you shouldn't say:

I have been practicing as a trained hair braider for six years. I have a plethora of satisfied clients whose testimonials you can see on my website

What you could say:

I'm a self-trained hair braider who has been practicing the craft for six years. You can find several testimonials from satisfied individuals on my website.

The latter option makes it clear you do not have professional training but are highly experienced. It also ensures you aren't claiming to have been paid for this work, which is particularly important if the state requires some kind of certification.

Not following directions.

If there is a word limit, make sure you stick to it. If they ask specific questions, answer them. Not following directions to the letter can ruin your chances.

A common scholarship question is, "What are your long-term goals and why?" Let's say you want to work in esthetics and ultimately become a medical esthetician. When asked this question, you have a word limit of 50.

What you shouldn't say:

I want to get a degree to be an esthetician. I plan to work as a regular esthetician for at least four years but no more than six years and learn how to be a medical esthetician during that time. I want to ultimately be a medical esthetician because my little sister got badly burned as a kid and needed to have lots of skin care while she was recovering. I know a lot of people might want to become doctors after seeing that, but I was so enraptured by the people who helped her with her skin that I knew this was the path for me.

106 words

What you could say:

I want to be a medical esthetician to help people like my sister, who was burned as a child and helped by her medical esthetics team. However, it's important to build my skills before working with vulnerable populations, so I will use this scholarship to become a standard esthetician first.

Exactly 50 words

Not proofreading thoroughly.

Proofread your writing several times before you turn it in. Ask someone else to review it. Spelling and grammar mistakes are a big no-no.

One important factor to look for is how your scholarship grantor spells things. Using the example above, if the organization to which you apply uses "aesthetician," you should also use that spelling. It shows great attention to detail and is an essential part of proofreading.

A few common mistakes are:

  • Their vs. there vs. they're
  • It's vs. its
  • Your vs. you're
  • Saying "would of" instead of "would have"
  • Using "noone" instead of "no one"
  • Including textspeak, such as "lol," "IRL," "IMO," and emojis

Above all, spell all things related to your scholarship and career correctly. If you hope to be a massage therapist, you don't want to say, "message therapist." As "message" is a real word, spellcheck won't catch it—but the scholarship committee may chuckle, wondering what kind of messages need therapy!

If grammar and spelling aren't your strengths, that's okay. In addition to asking for help, you should check out:

Not tailoring your application to the organization.

Earlier, we mentioned ensuring you spell things as your potential scholarship grantor does. But tailoring doesn't stop at spelling.

This is particularly important when answering, "Why should we give you this scholarship?" They're not asking why you deserve a scholarship; they're asking why you deserve this scholarship.

Be sure to include information about how choosing you would further the organization's mission in some way. For instance, if they run a program offering free haircuts to impoverished people, you could say, "I was particularly excited by your haircut program, as I spent a great deal of time volunteering at a soup kitchen and know how important that is. I hope to help you with the program in the future." (Only add that last bit if you mean it!)

Since cosmetology requires people skills and artistic talent, scholarships in the field may have additional application requirements you might not see with other types of scholarships. Here are a few ways you can prepare:

Get to know people in the industry.
Some grant and scholarship applications may ask you to interview a salon manager or owner to learn more about the industry. Developing these relationships ahead of time can make it easier to find a person to interview and can give you valuable insights into the industry.

Take photos of your work.
If you're already enrolled in a cosmetology program or have been honing your skills on your own, make sure to take ongoing photos of your work. Some scholarship applications want to see your skills, so don't wait to take photos until you're in a time crunch or stressed out about your application.

Hone your on-camera skills.
Many cosmetology scholarships require short videos with your application to show off your technique and personality. Practice with a friend to make sure you're showing your personality and cosmetology techniques in the best light when the camera is turned on.

Finally, be confident. There is a wide range of options available to help make your cosmetology training affordable. Be persistent and you'll likely find the support you need to start your career.

Beauty School Scholarships – Updated for 2024

Below, you can find a list of scholarships you may be eligible for. Some are specific to cosmetology-related fields, while others are open to people of a variety of career focuses.

A couple of notes:

Some of these scholarships require you to use the funds for a degree-granting program. Associate degrees in cosmetology exist, largely through community colleges and not independent beauty schools.

Others mandate that your institution be accredited—however, they often don't specify if that's a Department of Education accreditation or if other accrediting bodies are allowed. Reach out to them directly to ask if you're eligible.

Expand All
Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship
Any Beauty Field $5,000

This scholarship is for people with documented learning disabilities.

The Allegra Ford Thomas scholarship is for learners with learning disabilities who are graduating from high school and plan to attend a vocational/technical program, two-year college, or specialized program for those with learning disabilities the fall after graduation. The winner receives $2,500 each year for the first two years of their postsecondary program.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by National Center for Learning Disabilities

Application Deadline: April
Awards Available: 1
Essay Required: No
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is renewable.

These scholarships are for American Indian or Alaska Native students.

These scholarships are open to American Indian and Alaska Native students who can prove tribal enrollment (themselves or a parent) and are enrolled/will enroll in an accredited school—including technical school and vocational programs—full time. Winners could receive up to $2,000 per school year if they keep up a GPA of 2.0.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by American Indian Education Fund

Application Deadline: April
Awards Available: 200+
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: 2.0

This scholarship is renewable.

This scholarship is for veterans, active military, children or grandchildren of veterans, military spouses, and high school senior JROTC members.

AMVETS offers multiple generous scholarships for JROTC students, veterans, and the families of veterans. Scholarships are earmarked for high-performing students who can demonstrate financial need. These awards are available for four-year degree seekers and those pursuing a vocational certificate.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by American Veterans (AMVETS)

Application Deadline: April
Awards Available: Varies by scholarship
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: Varies by scholarship

This scholarship is renewable.

This scholarship is for high school seniors who are the child or grandchild of a member of the American Postal Workers Union and plan to attend a vocational program in a field like cosmetology, culinary arts, or massage therapy.

This scholarship is available to high school seniors who are the child or grandchild of an APWU member. You'll write an essay based on a mail or union topic. One winner is chosen from each of the five postal regions.

In addition to the standard scholarships worth up to $3,000, APWU chooses a "Best Essay" winner to receive a one-time $2,000 award.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by American Postal Workers Union

Application Deadline: May 31, annually
Awards Available: 5
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: B average/pass/instructor or counselor evaluation

This scholarship is renewable only if the full award is not used in the first year.

This scholarship is for women who were/are in the army and their direct descendants.

This scholarship is open to women soldiers (current or former) and their lineal descendants. It's divided into four categories, including certificate and community college options, each valued at a maximum of $1,000. Applicants must be enrolled or admitted into an accredited program. Winners are chosen based on merit, potential, essay quality, history of community service, recommendation letters, and financial need.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by Army Women's Foundation (AWF)

Application Deadline: January
Awards Available: Varies
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: 2.5 for HS seniors, 3.0 those applying for the graduate scholarship

This scholarship is not renewable.

This scholarship is for any student.

This scholarship is open to applicants of any education level, type of school, or field of study. Applicants create a profile on their site, and the organization chooses a winner based on who has the "boldest" profile—"earnest, determined, moving"—though preference is given to those who apply earlier.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by Bold.org

Application Deadline: January
Awards Available: 1
Essay Required: No
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is not renewable.

This scholarship is for anyone enrolled in or planning to enroll in a beauty-related program.

This scholarship is open to any students who are enrolled in cosmetology, esthetics, or other beauty and wellness programs, whether full or part time. You'll respond to three short answer questions, and the winner is determined based on the quality of your responses, reasons for entering the field, and the impact you plan to have.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by Beauty Schools Directory

Application Deadline: September
Awards Available: 1
Essay Required: No
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is not renewable.

This scholarship is for anyone 14+ years old.

This scholarship is open to anyone age 14 or older who plans to attend any kind of accredited postsecondary school in the next five years. You simply write an essay about what your one "do-over" would be, and the winner is chosen based on essay quality.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by Unigo

Application Deadline: June
Awards Available: 1
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is not renewable.

This scholarship is for Native Americans and Alaska Natives.

The Full Circle scholarship is open to registered tribal members or descendants of parents/grandparents who are tribal members. The applicants must be planning to attend an accredited private, public, or tribal college or university, and those working toward certificates are eligible.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by The American Indian College Fund

Application Deadline: May
Awards Available: Unpublished
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: 2.0

This scholarship is not renewable.

This scholarship is for current high school or college students who have designed innovative projects to improve lives. Examples given include blogs, fundraisers, websites, apps, etc.

You must write an essay about your project and include a letter of recommendation and a photo taken while executing the project.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by LA Tutors 123

Application Deadline: Rolling
Awards Available: 1 per month
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: 3.0

This scholarship is not renewable.

This scholarship is for low-income women ages 35 or older.

This scholarship is for low-income women ages 35 and over. They must plan to attend a vocational/technical program or a two- or four-year degree program at a nonprofit accredited school.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by Jeannette Rankin Foundation

Application Deadline: February
Awards Available: Varies
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is renewable.

This scholarship is for MOPH member Purple Heart recipients, spouses, or children/grandchildren.

If you're a Purple Heart recipient, married to one, or the child or grandchild of one, you may apply for the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) Scholarship to cover a full-time education at an accredited program.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by The Military Order Purple Heart (MOPH)

Application Deadline: July
Awards Available: Varies
Essay Required: No
GPA Required: 2.75

This scholarship is not renewable, but you can reapply.

This scholarship is for high school seniors with hemophilia.

This scholarship program is for high school seniors with hemophilia A or B who plan to attend a vocational or higher program. Awards are granted based on the quality of the essay, recommendations, and academic history.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by Hemophilia Village by Pfizer

Application Deadline: May
Awards Available: 12
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is not renewable.

This scholarship is for those with epilepsy or who serve as a caregiver for someone with epilepsy.

This scholarship is open to those enrolling in a trade school program or higher who have epilepsy or those who care for someone who does. Awards are given to those with a history of extracurricular activities, academic and personal achievement, and role-model behavior.

Applicants must also provide a medical history form for themselves or the person they care for and a recommendation from a medical professional. If you're not close with a healthcare worker, you may find an alternate person, though this should be a last resort.

Thirty scholarships worth up to $5,000 and three worth up to $10,000 are available.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by UCB, Inc.

Application Deadline: April
Awards Available: 33
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is not renewable.

These scholarships are for female marines and their siblings, spouses, and direct descendants or those involved in the Marine Corps JROTC program. The number of available awards and their amounts vary based on the number of applicants.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by Women Marines Association

Application Deadline: March
Awards Available: Varies
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: 3.0

This scholarship is not renewable, but you can reapply.

This scholarship is for new and current cosmetology students. Applicants must be at least 18 and provide proof of acceptance or attendance at an accredited cosmetology program.

You must submit three photos of your work that best display your creative skills. Instead of a standard essay, you'll create a three- to five-minute video answering typical essay questions.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by Beauty Changes Lives

Application Deadline: February, August
Awards Available: 1
Essay Required: Video
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is not renewable.

This scholarship is open to people in the United States and Canada. All applicants are added to the Great Clips Talent Community and will receive emails from the company.

Great Clips is seeking applicants who have unique stories to tell. This scholarship is primarily based on the required essay, and they genuinely want to see who you are in your work. When writing, remember that they reserve the right to publish your essay.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by Great Clips

Application Deadline: March, September
Awards Available: Up to 11 per period
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is not renewable.

Cosmetology students of color are welcome to apply for this scholarship. L'Oréal factors in merit, need, community service, and a history of celebrating and advocating for diversity when choosing a winner.

Instead of a formal essay, you need to create a three-minute YouTube video answering three questions posted on the application. Don't forget to be genuine in your answers!

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by L'Oréal and Beauty Changes Lives

Application Deadline: May
Awards Available: 1
Essay Required: No
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is not renewable.

This scholarship is for students currently enrolled or accepted in an accredited cosmetology (and related) field, such as barber, esthetician, skin care specialist, or related fields. The application is a short 150-word response to one of three prompts.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by Sunlight Spa Supply

Application Deadline: February
Awards Available: 5
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is not renewable.

If hair coloring is your passion, this scholarship may suit you.

This generous award is open to current and soon-to-be enrolling cosmetology students at accredited programs. Applicants must submit three before-and-after photos of their artistic coloring work and a three-minute YouTube video. The video content requirements are detailed in the application.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by Beauty Changes Lives

Application Deadline: August
Awards Available: 1
Essay Required: No
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is not renewable.

This scholarship is for cosmetology students with a particular passion for artistic haircutting.

You need to submit three pictures of your artistic haircutting skills, either on a mannequin or a person, along with a three-minute YouTube video answering questions posed on the application.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by Beauty Changes Lives

Application Deadline: August
Awards Available: 1
Essay Required: No
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is not renewable.

This scholarship is for new and current beauty school students.

To win this award, you must submit three photos of your artistic hairdressing ability and a three- to five-minute video answering standard essay questions.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by Beauty Changes Lives

Application Deadline: February, August
Awards Available: 1
Essay Required: Video
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is not renewable.

This scholarship is for current or future cosmetology or barbering students who won't graduate from their programs between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31 of the year they win the award.

This need-based scholarship is for future cosmetologists and barbers; estheticians and nail technicians are not eligible.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by Joe Francis Scholarship Foundation

Application Deadline: June
Awards Available: Varies
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is not renewable.

This scholarship is for barber and cosmetology students.

When applying for this scholarship, you'll create a short YouTube video showing what makes you unique. Additionally, applicants answer a series of standard questions.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by Keller

Application Deadline: August
Awards Available: 1
Essay Required: Video
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is not renewable.

Sports Clips Scholarship is open to students who have completed at least 50% of a barber or cosmetology program. Students must have an attendance record and grade average of at least 80% when applying. The scholarship is need-based and will be paid directly to the school.

Rather than an essay, the committee requires applicants to upload a video discussing their financial needs, why they want to pursue a career as a cosmetologist or barber, and what they hope to achieve in their careers.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by SportsClips

Application Deadline: Four per year
Awards Available: Up to 10
Essay Required: Video
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is not renewable.

This scholarship is for new or current cosmetics, makeup, or esthetics students.

You can apply for this scholarship if you're attending or being accepted to a MUD Partner School and are skilled in makeup artistry. They require a two- to four-minute YouTube video answering relevant questions and the submission of three photos of your makeup applications.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by Beauty Changes Lives and MUD

Application Deadline: Fall, Spring
Awards Available: 5 per award period
Essay Required: Video
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is not renewable.

This scholarship is for hairstyling and cosmetology students.

This award is available to hairstyling and cosmetology students who complete an essay showing their commitment to Buy-Rite's core beliefs of hard work, trust, and honesty. The essay must have correct grammar and spelling, be thematically consistent, and tell a compelling story.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by Buy-Rite Beauty

Application Deadline: November
Awards Available: 1
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is not renewable.

This scholarship is for estheticians, cosmetologists, nail technicians, nurses, and nursing assistants transitioning to electrology.

This scholarship is for students who live in states that specifically license electrology or who can travel to those states for training on a limited basis. Financial need, including credit card debt, is considered in scholarship decisions and is often left out of most need-based scholarship applications.

Scholarship decision-makers look for applicants with prior experience and skills that prepare them for self-employment, related licenses in other fields, and other postsecondary education. Finalists will need to complete a phone interview and possibly an in-person interview.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by American Institute of Education

Application Deadline: Unpublished
Awards Available: Unpublished
Essay Required: Short answer responses
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is not renewable.

This scholarship is for new and current esthetics students. Applicants must be at least 18 and provide proof of enrollment at an accredited esthetics program.

You need to turn in two before-and-after photos of esthetics treatments and one of a makeup application, plus a three- to five-minute video answering standard scholarship essay questions..

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by Beauty Changes Lives

Application Deadline: August
Awards Available: 2
Essay Required: Video
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is not renewable.

This scholarship is for new and current massage students enrolled or admitted into a 500-hour massage therapy program. Rather than a full essay, they ask for a few sentences on why you chose this career.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by American Massage Therapy Association

Application Deadline: August
Awards Available: 1
Essay Required: No
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is not renewable.

This scholarship is for massage students.

This unique scholarship contest invites massage therapy students to conduct research using one client, discuss treatment plans and outcomes, and write up their study and results. There are three tiers of awards, ranging from $1,500 to $2,500, plus additional money if the work is published. First-place winners also receive a stipend to attend the AMTA National Convention.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by Massage Therapy Association

Application Deadline: June
Awards Available: 3
Essay Required: Case report
GPA Required: None

This scholarship is not renewable.

This scholarship is for massage students.

Eligible applicants are enrolled in an approved entry-level massage program and are working toward licensure as massage therapists. Completing all massage coursework is vital. Applicants must supply proof of enrollment at an approved massage program and complete a short essay.

Apply for this scholarship
Provided by MBLExGuide

Application Deadline: December
Awards Available: 1
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: Passing all classes

This scholarship is not renewable.

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