You’ve decided to study cosmetology and you’re fresh out of high school looking for a college and a course that gives you exactly what you need. Cosmetology requires serious passion, and it isn’t a field in which you are likely to simply ‘end up’. Getting there, making a mark, and  – most importantly – staying put takes commitment.

Of course, the outrageous costs of getting your cosmetology training are more than enough to make anyone question if they really want to pursue it.

All students are vaguely aware of grants and scholarships, and how they can help students to reach their academic goals, without burning through their finances. Suffice it to say, there are a lot of cosmetology grants and scholarships to be had.

You can either choose federal grants, or you can opt for a scholarship. Here’s a breakdown of the two:

Federal Grants
The FAFSA form is the first thing you need to get your hands on. Read it, fill it, and submit it way before the deadline, because everyone else is already doing it. The best part about federal funds is that they all come with a single form.

The FAFSA takes your family’s financial details and helps assess your level of need for grants. Grants are basically gifts the government offers you, in that they don’t have to be returned.

The Pell Grant is a very popular example, which covers a huge chunk or all of your tuition cost. The remaining grant is handed to you for all your education expenses. The Federal Work Study Grant is best for those who are willing to fund their studies through work. The work hours and allotments are given by the government.

Privately Funded Grants
These are your options outside of government aid, especially when it comes to cosmetology school grants. These are generally offered by institutions and organizations that dabble in the beauty industry and aim to support students trying to get into it.

One of these is the Empire Beauty School Scholarship. This is one of the most notable cosmetology schools with campuses in about 21 states. Their financial office allows students to apply for both federally funded and private grants. Besides this, the school is also a part of American Cosmetology Education Grant Program (ACEGP)

The American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) offer a range of scholarships and cosmetology grants for students primarily interested in the field of cosmetology. These include the Sports Clips Scholarship and the American Cosmetology Education grants (ACE).