New Student Guide to Financial Aid: How to Pay for Cosmetology School

Getting Started in Cosmetology

Have you been dreaming of a career in the beauty industry but haven’t figured out how to pay for cosmetology school? Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think!  Trade schools and professional training programs are affordable options for students looking for sustainable work. It won’t break the bank like a four-year university and yet skilled beauticians make as much as University graduates.

Federal Student Financial Aid

Currently we do not accept Federal Financial Aid but we do offer a variety of scholarships and extended payment plans to help students with tuition so ask Admissions about your options.

Calculating the Cost of Beauty School

Like any institution of higher education, cosmetology school has a tuition cost.  The good news is that it is much less expensive than the average University or community college education, and the skills are immediately applicable to the workplace so securing a job after graduation has a high success rate. Mason Anthony’s program tuitions are quite competitive. Our year long Cosmetology program offers a very robust, hands-on curriculum for less than $20,000, while other notable schools like Aveda and Paul Mitchell charge much more.  Considering you’ll have an in-demand skillset upon completion of the 1 year program, the cost of cosmetology school is a huge value investment in your career!

Timing is a Factor

Each state has its own licensing requirements for cosmetology and salon work, which can change how long the program takes. Ohio only requires 1800 hours of training which means our advanced Cosmetology program has you ready to join the workforce after just one year. Many students may work part-time and go to school part-time to offset tuition costs, which can sometimes extend the program and therefore take longer to complete. Extending your payment schedule can delay your licensure paperwork, delaying your job prospects, so it’s important to have a financial plan in place to complete your training program on time.

Cosmetology Scholarships

Scholarships are a form of financial aid given to students as an award. These don’t get repaid and are given to those with a great need or who demonstrate the capacity to do well in their program. It is worth taking time to apply to any available scholarships, even if it takes a while upfront. The benefits are not having the added cost of repaying later (with interest) and feeling a sense of accomplishment by securing a merit-based scholarship. 

Amounts vary from $1000 on up to full tuition coverage. Salons are common sources of scholarships and grants for beauty school, usually for their staff or prospective employees as a way to educate them before putting them on the floor with clients.  Most schools will also keep a database of options and even internal scholarships they award to a certain number of students. Speak with a Mason Anthony financial advisor to learn about cosmetology scholarships available for Ohio students.

Student Loans for Beauty School

Loans should be a last resort for students because of the high-interest rates and future repayment plans when you’re just starting out in your career. Student loan rates vary on public and private loans, even federal loans, which usually carry a lower interest rate than those from banks. Subsidized and unsubsidized loans are two different types available to students on the federal level. Private loans are through a bank but come with stricter repayment terms and sometimes less regulation. Student loans are an option for students looking to fund their education in the absence of grants and scholarships, but always exercise caution when borrowing large sums of money.

Build a Beautiful Future

Students looking to study cosmetology will find it an affordable alternative to more extended educational programs with a high rate of return. The marketplace is wide open for students and takes less time than other schooling options. Looking for ways to make it affordable can help students lower the cost, keep debt to a minimum, and ensure an education in your dream field. 

However you choose to make your way through cosmetology school, if you pursue your dreams and work with passion, your future will be beautiful and rewarding.

Consider touring the Mason Anthony School of Cosmetology to see which program is right for you. We have the largest, best-in-class facility in Ohio and a large student body ready to help you hone your skills and practice your craft.

Call us today!